Embracing the Discipline of Waiting on God
Summary
Waiting is a challenging concept for many of us, yet it is an essential part of our spiritual journey. In our worship today, we focused on waiting for God, not seeking a performance but seeking His presence. Even David, a man after God's own heart, had to learn to wait. This teaches us that waiting is a necessary discipline for spiritual growth and development. Many people live in shame, feeling they don't measure up, but God reassures us that those who wait on Him will never be ashamed. Waiting on God requires repentance and a commitment to turn away from sin, even after becoming a Christian. Sin is a persistent issue, but by concentrating on God daily, we can walk away from shame and live in His grace and mercy.
Waiting on God is not passive; it is an active engagement with His presence. It involves patience and trust, knowing that in His timing, everything will fall into place. When we wait on God, we are developed and transformed, moving away from shame and into a life of integrity and righteousness. This transformation allows us to face life's challenges with peace and confidence, knowing that God is in control. Waiting on God also means being cautious in our interactions, discerning the intentions of others, and maintaining our integrity in all situations.
In our daily lives, we must ask God to teach us and guide us in His truth. Waiting on God may take time, but it is essential for our spiritual growth. We need to be in fellowship with others, experiencing the presence of God together. Many have strayed because they did not know how to wait on God, but we must remain steadfast, allowing God's servants to lead us. Our integrity and righteousness will preserve us as we wait on Him, ensuring that we do not lose our relationship with God for anything in the world. Waiting on God is a journey of faith, patience, and trust, leading us to a deeper understanding of His love and purpose for our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Discipline of Waiting: Waiting on God is a spiritual discipline that requires patience and trust. It is not about passivity but about actively seeking God's presence and guidance in our lives. By waiting, we allow God to develop and transform us, moving us away from shame and into a life of integrity and righteousness. [01:28]
2. Freedom from Shame: Many people live in shame, feeling they don't measure up. However, God reassures us that those who wait on Him will never be ashamed. By repenting and turning away from sin, we can walk in His grace and mercy, free from the burden of shame. [02:42]
3. Active Engagement with God: Waiting on God involves an active engagement with His presence. It requires us to be patient and trust in His timing, knowing that everything will fall into place. This engagement allows us to face life's challenges with peace and confidence, knowing that God is in control. [05:07]
4. Discernment and Integrity: In our interactions with others, we must be cautious and discerning, maintaining our integrity in all situations. Waiting on God helps us to discern the intentions of others and to act with righteousness, preserving our relationship with Him. [17:08]
5. A Journey of Faith: Waiting on God is a journey of faith, patience, and trust. It leads us to a deeper understanding of His love and purpose for our lives. By remaining steadfast and allowing God's servants to lead us, we can grow in our relationship with Him and experience His blessings. [26:40]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:28] - The Challenge of Waiting
[02:42] - Freedom from Shame
[04:09] - The Problem of Sin
[05:07] - Active Engagement with God
[06:09] - Development Through Waiting
[07:31] - Grace and Mercy
[08:37] - Communication with God
[09:35] - The Rewards of Waiting
[11:30] - Practicing Patience
[12:57] - Beyond Feelings
[15:43] - Facing Adversity
[17:08] - Discernment and Integrity
[18:42] - Seeking God's Teaching
[23:01] - Preserving Integrity
[26:40] - A Journey of Faith
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Waiting on God
#### Bible Reading
- Psalm 25:3-5, 21: "Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 25:3, what assurance do we have when we wait on God?
2. How does the sermon describe the act of waiting on God? Is it passive or active? [05:07]
3. What role does repentance play in waiting on God, as mentioned in the sermon? [02:42]
4. How does the sermon suggest we can move away from shame? [06:09]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to actively engage with God's presence while waiting, as described in the sermon? [05:07]
2. How can waiting on God lead to a transformation in one's life, according to the sermon? [06:09]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that waiting on God can help us maintain integrity and discernment in our interactions with others? [17:08]
4. How does the sermon connect waiting on God with experiencing His grace and mercy? [07:31]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt ashamed. How might waiting on God have changed your perspective or outcome in that situation? [02:42]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of repentance even after becoming a Christian. What steps can you take to ensure you are continually turning away from sin? [04:09]
3. Consider your daily routine. How can you incorporate more time for actively waiting on God? What might you need to change or prioritize? [05:07]
4. How can you practice discernment and maintain integrity in your interactions this week, especially in challenging situations? [17:08]
5. The sermon mentions the importance of fellowship. How can you engage more deeply with your church community to experience God's presence together? [18:42]
6. Identify an area in your life where you are struggling to trust God's timing. What practical steps can you take to surrender this area to Him? [11:30]
7. How can you remind yourself of God's promises when you feel impatient or discouraged while waiting? [09:35]
Devotional
Day 1: The Discipline of Active Waiting
Waiting on God is a dynamic process that involves more than just patience; it requires an active pursuit of His presence and guidance. This discipline is not about passivity but about engaging with God intentionally, allowing Him to shape and transform us. As we wait, we are moved away from shame and into a life characterized by integrity and righteousness. This transformation is a testament to the power of waiting on God, as it develops our character and deepens our spiritual journey. By embracing this discipline, we open ourselves to the profound work God desires to do in our lives, trusting that His timing is perfect. [01:28]
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV): "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: In what areas of your life do you find it difficult to wait on God? How can you actively seek His presence in those areas today?
Day 2: Freedom from the Burden of Shame
Many people carry the weight of shame, feeling inadequate or unworthy. However, God promises that those who wait on Him will never be put to shame. This assurance invites us to repent and turn away from sin, embracing His grace and mercy. By doing so, we can walk in freedom, liberated from the burden of shame. This freedom is not just a release from past mistakes but a call to live in the fullness of God's love and acceptance. As we wait on God, we are reminded of His unwavering commitment to us, encouraging us to live boldly in His grace. [02:42]
Psalm 25:3 (ESV): "Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel shame? How can you invite God's grace into that area today to experience His freedom?
Day 3: Engaging with God's Presence
Waiting on God involves an active engagement with His presence, requiring patience and trust in His perfect timing. This engagement is not passive but a deliberate choice to seek God and trust that everything will fall into place according to His will. By actively engaging with God, we are equipped to face life's challenges with peace and confidence, knowing that He is in control. This assurance allows us to navigate adversity with a sense of calm and trust, rooted in the knowledge that God is working all things for our good. [05:07]
Lamentations 3:25-26 (ESV): "The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."
Reflection: How can you actively engage with God's presence today, especially in areas where you feel uncertain or anxious?
Day 4: Discernment and Integrity in Relationships
In our interactions with others, it is crucial to exercise discernment and maintain integrity. Waiting on God helps us to discern the intentions of others and act with righteousness, preserving our relationship with Him. This discernment is not about suspicion but about seeking God's wisdom in our relationships, ensuring that we act with integrity in all situations. By doing so, we honor God and reflect His character in our interactions, fostering relationships that are grounded in truth and love. [17:08]
Proverbs 2:6-8 (ESV): "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints."
Reflection: Think of a relationship where you need discernment. How can you seek God's wisdom to maintain integrity in that relationship today?
Day 5: A Journey of Faith and Trust
Waiting on God is a journey of faith, patience, and trust, leading us to a deeper understanding of His love and purpose for our lives. This journey requires steadfastness, allowing God's servants to guide us as we grow in our relationship with Him. By remaining faithful, we experience His blessings and gain a clearer vision of His plans for us. This journey is not without challenges, but it is marked by the assurance that God is with us every step of the way, guiding us toward His perfect will. [26:40]
Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV): "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust God's timing? How can you cultivate patience and faith in that area today?
Quotes
But in order for us to grow and to develop in God, we must all, including myself, learn how to wait on God. In verse 3, In verse 3 of Psalms chapter 25, Yes, let none who wait on you be what? Ashamed. There are many people that go to church every Sunday and they live in being ashamed of something. [00:02:02] (39 seconds)
And another way to walk from sin and not have so much a problem with sin is we need to be in concentration, our concentration, and should be on God every day. Psalms chapter 25, verse 3. So to walk out of being ashamed, wouldn't you love to walk out and never be ashamed again? Amen. What's the answer to that today? It's to wait on God. [00:04:34] (40 seconds)
But in that waiting, he develops us. And we all need to be developed in God. And when we're developed in God, we move away from feeling ashamed of any activity. Now, if you're in sin every day, you should be ashamed of it. But I'm talking about... If you've asked God to forgive you of your sin or that particular sin, and you've walked away from it. [00:06:09] (35 seconds)
You cannot wait on God if you're living in sin. You cannot live for God and wait on God if you're living in sin. You cannot wait on God if you're living in sin. stop your communication from touching the ears of the heavenly Father. I don't want my communication to be sidetracked. I don't want my prayers to be void prayers. [00:08:18] (43 seconds)
Once you learn how to finally wait on God, things start to come become quicker in your life. Things start to work right where it didn't work or working wrong before. That should get a hallelujah. I praise the Lord for that because I'm living in that now I'm not saying that or bragging but I'm letting you know if you'll wait on the Lord it will all fall into place. [00:09:39] (39 seconds)
We were waiting on God this morning. We're going to be doing a whole lot more of that as we move further into the inner chambers of glory here. Because if you practice waiting on God in the tabernacle when we're together you learn how to wait on God when you're in the treads and in life's problems. [00:11:44] (30 seconds)
If you learn how to wait on God and have the patience God, I don't know what you're doing up in here, up in here but I'm going to wait on you. When you are in a in facing problems in your individual life when you're facing death in your family, you're able to have peace in your heart because you were told to wait on God in church. [00:12:13] (28 seconds)
But when we get in God, we move to another level in Him. We see and we're able to wait there. God, I'm ready to wait. And then things start to happen. Are you ready? Let me just ask you this. I'm not going to keep y 'all after me. You're going to be able to leave here in a minute. Hallelujah. Smile again. Hallelujah. Are you ready to receive the blessings of God? [00:15:05] (32 seconds)
There at the prison, being the program supervisor, the chaplain of two institutions, that could have really been a headache. But I loved it every day. I loved to have a problem. I loved the little fight because I knew if I walked in, I had enough of God in me, they were going to stop. What am I saying to you today? We, when we wait on God, we can go into adversity. [00:16:02] (32 seconds)
I'm serious We need to be very careful when we're on this telephone And we need to be and we need to be in a wakeful manner or what we're saying to other people Preaching preaching because when people have you on speaker They're looking for something And I'm going to tell you something I'll tell people right quick You just put me on speaker today's not the day [00:17:56] (34 seconds)
some folks think they do but they don't Lord teach me for you are the God of my salvation on you do I wait all the day there's a lot of minutes and there's a lot of hours in a day there's 24 hours sometimes we feel like it ain't gonna be in our tools but we need to be patient and wait on God hey if it takes all day if it takes a whole week if it takes some month if it even takes a year we've got to wait on God [00:19:54] (52 seconds)
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