Embracing Divine Waiting: Trust, Surrender, and Strength

Devotional

Day 1: Waiting on God Brings Strength and Renewal

Learning to wait on God is not a passive act, but a posture of trust, hope, and expectation that positions you to receive supernatural strength for the journey ahead. In a world obsessed with urgency and instant results, waiting on God realigns your heart, refreshes your spirit, and prepares you for the good works He has set before you. When you set aside time to listen, to be still, and to expect God to move, He exchanges your weariness for His strength, enabling you to walk out your calling with endurance and joy. [12:37]

Isaiah 40:29-31 (ESV)
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Reflection: When was the last time you intentionally set aside time to wait on God in stillness and expectation? What would it look like to carve out even 10 minutes today to simply listen for His voice and let Him renew your strength?

Day 2: Surrendering Control Brings Stability and Peace

When life feels unstable and out of control, true peace is found not in striving or frantic problem-solving, but in surrendering your burdens to God and waiting for His direction. Like King Hezekiah, who laid his impossible situation before the Lord, you are invited to bring your anxieties, fears, and uncertainties to God, releasing your grip and trusting Him to act on your behalf. In that place of surrender, God meets you with stability, contentment, and the assurance that He is your refuge and fortress. [23:12]

2 Kings 19:14-15, 19 (ESV)
Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said: “O Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth... So now, O Lord our God, save us, please, from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O Lord, are God alone.”

Reflection: What is one situation in your life right now that feels out of your control? Can you take a few moments today to lay it before God in prayer, releasing your grip and asking Him to bring His peace and stability?

Day 3: God Is Our Refuge—Be Still and Know

In the midst of chaos, uncertainty, and fear, God invites you to be still, to cease striving, and to know that He is God. This act of stillness is not weakness, but a powerful declaration of trust that God is your fortress, your strength, and your ever-present help in trouble. When you let go of your compulsive need to control outcomes and rest in His presence, you discover a deep well of peace and assurance that He will be exalted in your situation. [26:51]

Psalm 46:1-3, 10-11 (ESV)
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea... “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah.

Reflection: What would it look like for you to “be still” today—mentally, emotionally, or physically—and release your need to control a specific outcome? How might God meet you in that place of surrender?

Day 4: You Are Created for a Purpose—Supernatural Work Requires Supernatural Strength

You are not an accident or a random collection of circumstances; God has uniquely created you for good works that He prepared in advance. Pursuing your God-given calling will require all your energy, focus, and discipline, but you are not meant to do it alone. As you wait on God and draw strength from Him, He empowers you to walk out your purpose, even in the face of opposition or difficulty, knowing that your labor is not in vain. [16:00]

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Reflection: What is one area where you sense God calling you to step out in faith or serve others? How can you intentionally seek His strength and guidance before moving forward in your own efforts?

Day 5: Delayed Gratification and Trusting God’s Timing

Resisting the urge for instant gratification and learning to wait on God not only benefits your emotional and mental health, but also deepens your trust in His perfect timing and faithfulness. In a culture that prizes speed and efficiency, choosing to hope in God’s promises and wait for His direction shapes your character, increases your resilience, and opens you to receive blessings that only come through patient trust. [07:06]

Psalm 25:3, 5 (ESV)
Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame... Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.

Reflection: Where in your life are you tempted to rush ahead or settle for quick fixes? What is one practical way you can practice patience and trust in God’s timing this week?

Sermon Summary

In a world obsessed with speed, efficiency, and instant gratification, it’s easy to let urgency dictate the pace and priorities of life. Yet, God invites us into a radically different rhythm—one marked by waiting, trust, and surrender. Waiting is uncomfortable and often feels like wasted time, but Scripture assures us that those who wait on the Lord will never be put to shame. God, who exists outside of time, redeems every moment spent in His presence, transforming what feels unproductive into seasons of deep renewal and strength.

Learning to wait on God is not a passive act, but a posture of expectant hope and alertness. It’s a discipline that aligns our hearts with His, allowing us to receive supernatural strength for the supernatural work He’s called us to. Each of us is uniquely crafted by God, with a purpose and a set of good works prepared in advance. To walk in these works, we need more than human effort; we need the energy and power that only God can provide. This strength is found not in striving, but in stillness—when we lay down our compulsive need to control and instead listen for His voice.

Life’s instability—whether global, societal, or deeply personal—can leave us feeling anxious and overwhelmed. Yet, the biblical story of King Hezekiah reminds us that when we face situations beyond our control, the first and best response is to bring our burdens before God, surrender them, and wait. In that place of surrender, God brings stability, peace, and often, miraculous intervention. The call is to cease striving, release our grip, and trust that God is our fortress and refuge.

As we practice waiting on God, we discover that He meets us with renewed strength, clarity, and peace. He speaks victory over our situations, brings breakthrough where there was no way, and reminds us that He is exalted above every circumstance. The invitation is to be still, to know that He is God, and to trust that He is working all things together for our good.

Key Takeaways

1. Waiting on God is a Transformative Act of Trust Choosing to wait on God, rather than rushing ahead or striving in our own strength, is a profound act of trust and surrender. It acknowledges that God is not bound by time and can redeem every moment spent in His presence, turning what feels like wasted time into seasons of deep spiritual growth and renewal. [05:39]
2. Supernatural Strength is Found in Stillness, Not Striving God has prepared unique works for each of us, and fulfilling them requires more than our natural abilities. True strength for the journey comes as we wait on Him—listening, hoping, and expecting. In the quiet, God exchanges our weariness for His power, equipping us for the supernatural resistance we will face as we pursue His call. [16:00]
3. Surrender Brings Stability Amid Life’s Instability When circumstances spiral beyond our control, the world urges us to fight harder or find a way out. Yet, Scripture teaches us to bring our burdens to God, lay them at His feet, and wait. In that place of surrender, we find a stability and peace that transcends understanding, as God becomes our refuge and fortress. [23:12]
4. God’s Voice Changes Everything When We Wait The story of Hezekiah shows that one moment of true surrender and waiting on God can lead to a divine declaration that changes the entire situation. God desires to speak victory, life, and hope over us, but we must slow down long enough to hear His voice and receive His direction. [26:51]
5. Letting Go is the Pathway to Peace and Breakthrough The call to “be still and know that I am God” is an invitation to release our grip on what we cannot control. As we let go and surrender our anxieties, God meets us with peace, contentment, and often the wisdom or breakthrough we need. The act of letting go is not weakness, but the very place where God’s strength and miracles are released. [28:42]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:12] - Opening Prayer and Setting Expectations
[03:33] - The Challenge of Waiting in a Culture of Urgency
[05:39] - The Impact of Instant Gratification
[07:06] - Lessons from the 90s: Waiting and Patience
[10:39] - God’s Promises for Those Who Wait
[12:37] - Personal Stories of Waiting on God
[16:00] - Supernatural Strength for Supernatural Work
[18:11] - Stability in a World of Instability
[20:26] - Hezekiah’s Crisis: Surrendering to God
[21:29] - Laying Our Burdens Before the Lord
[23:12] - Finding Peace in Surrender
[24:10] - Trusting God with the Impossible
[26:51] - Be Still and Know: The Power of Letting Go
[28:42] - Practicing Surrender in Worship
[33:34] - Closing Prayer and Declaration of Breakthrough

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Psalm 25:3, 5 (ESV) — > Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
> Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.

Isaiah 40:29-31 (ESV) — > He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Psalm 46:1-3, 10-11 (ESV) — > God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea...
> “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Observation Questions

In Psalm 25, what promise is given to those who wait for the Lord?
According to Isaiah 40, what happens to those who wait on the Lord, and how is this different from relying on our own strength?
In the story of King Hezekiah (2 Kings 19, referenced in the sermon), what was his first response when faced with an impossible situation? [21:29]
What does the phrase “Be still and know that I am God” mean in the context of Psalm 46 and the sermon? [26:51]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think waiting on God is described as an act of trust and surrender, rather than just doing nothing? [10:39]
The sermon mentions that God gives “supernatural strength for supernatural work.” What does it look like to receive strength from God instead of just pushing through in our own effort? [16:00]
How does surrendering our burdens to God bring stability and peace, even when our circumstances don’t immediately change? [23:12]
In the story of Hezekiah, what does his act of laying the letter before God teach us about handling situations that are out of our control? [21:29]

Application Questions

The sermon talked about our culture’s obsession with speed and instant gratification. Where do you see this urgency showing up in your own life, and how does it affect your relationship with God? [03:33]
Think about a time when you felt like waiting on God was wasted time. Looking back, did God use that season in a way you didn’t expect? How? [12:37]
The pastor encouraged us to set aside time to wait on God, not just in church but in our daily lives. What is one practical way you can create space for stillness and listening to God this week? [12:37]
Is there a situation in your life right now that feels out of your control? What would it look like to “spread it out before the Lord” like Hezekiah did? [21:29]
The phrase “be still and know that I am God” was described as letting go of our grip and surrendering control. What is one thing you need to let go of this week, and how can you take a step toward surrendering it to God? [26:51]
The sermon said that God often brings breakthrough, wisdom, or peace when we surrender and wait. Have you ever experienced this? If not, what would it look like to trust God for it now? [28:42]
How can you encourage someone else who is struggling to wait on God or feeling overwhelmed by life’s instability? What words or actions might help them experience God’s peace? [23:12]

Sermon Clips

We need to learn to change our understanding of what these things mean as applied to the kingdom of God. We're worried about wasting time. We only have so much time. Let me remind you, God created time. God is not bound by time. He is outside of time, and so he can redeem the time. And so any time that we quote -unquote waste waiting on him, he can actually turn around to be even more beneficial to us than any of those so -called productive things that we can do in our own strength. Waiting on God is a practice of trust and surrender to him. [00:09:56] (40 seconds) #GodRedeemsTime

But those times of waiting were actually very special. They were very important because they helped align my heart with the heart of God. They helped me to appreciate the season that I was in, and in those times, God strengthened me to walk out that season well. I wanna encourage you to set aside some time where you're not doing any of the talking and you're doing all of the listening. You're waiting on God. You're allowing him to speak, allowing him to move, allowing him to renew your strength. [00:12:51] (30 seconds) #AlignWithGodsHeart

No, the original language in the Hebrew that Isaiah used for the term wait, it means to wait, look for, hope, and expect. There's a posture here of outward stillness, but inward alertness, inward readiness. [00:13:29] (19 seconds) #WaitWithHopeAndAlertness

``God has prepared specific works for every single one of us and he's given us all a specific set of tools in the form of gifts and abilities and spheres of influence and even genetic makeup and i'm learning to appreciate the fact that i will never be six feet tall and god made me this way and i will forever be an average height male and i can embrace that and that's totally fine that's how god made me these are the tools that i've been given it's okay but i want to tell you that you were created for a reason you're not just a random collection of atoms that happen to come together maybe your parents told you that you were a mistake or an accident or an oops baby, and God bless them, but they are dead wrong. God created you. He knew you before he even created the world. He knew your life and what it was going to look like. He delicately and intricately put you together in your mother's womb, and there is a call of God on your life, a God -given purpose and God -given work for you to walk into. [00:15:20] (64 seconds) #CreatedWithPurpose

He didn't call together the troops. He didn't call on his advisors. The very first thing that he did is he went into the house of the Lord and he laid the matter at God's feet and he waited there. He said, God, I have no control of this situation. I don't know what I'm going to do. But you're the sovereign God over all the earth. And I know that you can make a way here. So I'm surrendering this situation to you. I'm letting this go and I'm waiting for you. This was a prophetic act of surrender to God and a willingness to wait on Him. [00:22:15] (48 seconds) #WaitInGodsPresence

Let me encourage you the next time that you're in a situation where you feel anxious, trapped, desperate, unstable in any way. Rather than striving through the situation, trying to find any option that you can to escape, trying to work up the willpower and muster all of the courage within you, go into the presence of God, lay the matter at his feet and wait on him. [00:23:03] (29 seconds) #PeaceThroughSurrender

When you get to that place where something is well and truly out of your hands and you can come to a place of true surrender and you lay it at the feet of God, you say, God, it's in your hands. I'm watching. I'm listening. I'm waiting. What's our next move? You know what you find in that place? You find stability. You find contentment. You find true peace. [00:24:39] (27 seconds) #VictoryInWaiting

There's imagery in that original Hebrew language for that term, be still. It literally means to release your grip on something and let it fall out of your hand. Cease striving. Cease striving. Cease striving. Let go of your compulsive need to be in control. Give it to God, surrender it, and know that he's gonna be exalted in your situation. He's a fortress and a refuge that you can run to. [00:28:13] (29 seconds)

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