Embracing the Divine Process of Waiting on God

Devotional

Day 1: Witnessing God's Power in Waiting

Waiting on God allows us to witness His divine power and strength. It humbles us and reminds us that God is not a vending machine but a sovereign Lord whose timing is perfect. In the waiting, we gain a greater understanding of His infinite strength and power. This period of waiting is not passive but an active engagement with God, where we learn to trust in His perfect timing and sovereignty. As we wait, we are invited to shift our focus from our own impatience to the majesty and power of God, recognizing that His ways are higher than ours. [02:26:27]

"For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But you were unwilling." (Isaiah 30:15, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life are you struggling to wait on God's timing? How can you actively engage with God during this waiting period to witness His power?

Day 2: Abiding in God's Presence

The waiting season teaches us to abide in God's presence, much like a pregnant woman nurturing the promise within her. This abiding involves active engagement with God, feeding on His Word, and preparing for the fulfillment of His promises. It is a time of spiritual growth and preparation, where we learn to dwell in His presence and draw strength from His Word. By abiding in Him, we are equipped to handle the challenges of waiting and are prepared for the fulfillment of His promises in our lives. [02:33:04]

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." (John 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you create a daily routine that helps you abide in God's presence and feed on His Word during this waiting season?

Day 3: Embracing Weakness to Experience God's Strength

Embracing our weaknesses allows us to experience God's strength. Our human strength is limited, but in our weakness, God's power is made perfect. This understanding shifts our reliance from self to God, enabling us to wait with hope and expectation. By acknowledging our limitations, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's grace, which empowers us to endure and thrive in the waiting period. [02:35:23]

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of weakness in your life where you need to rely more on God's strength? How can you invite His power into this area today?

Day 4: Finding Purpose in Waiting

God's purpose in making us wait is to prevent us from being destroyed by our own efforts or lack of repentance. Our waiting can be a testimony to others, drawing them to the God who offers salvation and eternal life. As we wait, we are called to serve with hopeful expectation, trusting that God's promises will be fulfilled in His perfect time. This perspective transforms our waiting into a purposeful journey that not only benefits us but also impacts those around us. [02:39:03]

"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." (2 Peter 3:9, ESV)

Reflection: How can your current season of waiting serve as a testimony to others about God's faithfulness and patience? Who can you encourage with your story today?

Day 5: Trusting in God's Perfect Timing

Trusting in God's timing requires faith and patience. Even when we don't understand, we are called to trust that God knows more and that His timing is perfect. Our waiting is not in vain but is part of God's greater plan for our lives. By surrendering our timelines to Him, we demonstrate our faith in His wisdom and love, knowing that He works all things for our good. This trust allows us to rest in His promises and find peace in the midst of uncertainty. [02:26:14]

"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." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)

Reflection: What is one promise from God that you are waiting to see fulfilled? How can you practice trusting in His perfect timing today, even when the wait feels long?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound theme of waiting on the promises of God, drawing inspiration from II Peter 3:9 and Isaiah 40. We began by acknowledging the tension and impatience that often accompany waiting, especially when it feels like God is slow to fulfill His promises. However, we were reminded that God's timing is perfect, and His delays are not denials but opportunities for growth and deeper intimacy with Him. The waiting period is not passive but active, much like a server attentively waiting on tables, ready to respond and serve.

We delved into the life of Jesus, who, despite knowing His divine mission at a young age, waited patiently until the appointed time to begin His ministry. This serves as a powerful reminder that waiting is a divine process that even Jesus embraced. We also examined the metaphor of pregnancy, illustrating how promises grow within us during the waiting period, much like a child in the womb. This growth requires nurturing, patience, and trust in God's perfect timing.

Furthermore, we discussed the importance of abiding in God's presence during the waiting season. This abiding is not about doing nothing but about actively engaging with God, feeding on His Word, and preparing for the fulfillment of His promises. We were encouraged to embrace our weaknesses, recognizing that God's strength is made perfect in our weakness. This understanding shifts our perspective from self-reliance to reliance on God's power and strength.

Finally, we were reminded that our waiting is not just for our benefit but also for the salvation of others. Our faithful waiting can be a testimony to others, drawing them to the God who sets the stars in place and offers eternal life through His Son. As we wait, we are called to serve with hopeful expectation, trusting that God's promises will be fulfilled in His perfect time.

Key Takeaways

1. Waiting Reveals God's Power: Waiting on God allows us to witness His divine power and strength. It humbles us and reminds us that God is not a vending machine but a sovereign Lord whose timing is perfect. In the waiting, we gain a greater understanding of His infinite strength and power. [146:27]
2. Abiding in God's Presence: The waiting season teaches us to abide in God's presence, much like a pregnant woman nurturing the promise within her. This abiding involves active engagement with God, feeding on His Word, and preparing for the fulfillment of His promises. [153:04]
3. Embracing Weakness: Embracing our weaknesses allows us to experience God's strength. Our human strength is limited, but in our weakness, God's power is made perfect. This understanding shifts our reliance from self to God, enabling us to wait with hope and expectation. [155:23]
4. Purpose in Waiting: God's purpose in making us wait is to prevent us from being destroyed by our own efforts or lack of repentance. Our waiting can be a testimony to others, drawing them to the God who offers salvation and eternal life. [159:03]
5. Trusting God's Timing: Trusting in God's timing requires faith and patience. Even when we don't understand, we are called to trust that God knows more and that His timing is perfect. Our waiting is not in vain but is part of God's greater plan for our lives. [02:26:14]
** [146:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[138:46] - Introduction to Worship
[139:26] - Speaker Introduction
[140:04] - Waiting on God's Promises
[141:06] - God's Patience and Salvation
[142:02] - Jesus' Example of Waiting
[143:02] - The Meaning of Waiting
[144:00] - Serving While Waiting
[145:06] - God's Incomparable Power
[146:27] - Waiting Reveals God's Power
[148:02] - Abiding in God's Presence
[150:03] - The Metaphor of Pregnancy
[152:11] - Embracing Weakness
[154:19] - Receiving God's Strength
[159:03] - Purpose in Waiting
[162:12] - Invitation to Faith
[165:03] - Conference Registration and Devotional
[167:46] - Introduction to Dr. Anita Phillips

Sermon Clips

When I was preparing for today's message, I did read the key verse from our conference which I know you know II Peter 3:9 where it says the Lord isn't really slow. This is the version I'm reading, you know, says God is not slow about His promise as some might think. [02:20:04]

If God is so insistent on waiting, and even Jesus our own Lord had a season in His life of waiting, right? You know, at the age of 12 His parents found Him in the temple, and He said to them, you know, why are you looking for me? I'm about my Father's business. [02:23:02]

Our God waits with a towel in His hand, right? He waits while we're in a journey. We're not to be passive or to give up but rather you and I are to be waiting with intention, with anticipation, with a steady hopeful ear tuned to His voice. [02:24:00]

Waiting on God reveals His divine power and strength. If we didn't have to wait on God, we'd think He was a vending machine, and we would treat Him as such. Pretty soon we would think we are God, and He was our servant. [02:26:27]

I was reminded of being pregnant. I've had four children for which I'm extremely grateful, and my first child I had difficulty becoming pregnant so I had a two and a half year period of trying to become pregnant, and then finally conceiving. [02:30:03]

God has something growing in your womb. He has a promise in your womb today, and it is in the waiting season and I just want to remind you that when babies come early there are problems. We don't want our babies to miscarry. [02:32:11]

I want to encourage you in this season of your life to learn to embrace your weakness. Now I don't mean that I want you to give up and lay down. What I mean is I want you to accept the fact that some days you just are not enough. [02:35:23]

God has purpose in the waiting. He does not want you to be destroyed by your own effort or lack of repentance, and by the way, He wants your life to be a beacon of salvation to other people. [02:39:03]

The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. [02:42:12]

I want you to confess, confess, confess, but not in the condemning way that we're used to hearing that word. I want you to tell what's happening with you to someone right now. If you're all alone, I want you to write it down and then read it out loud. [03:01:12]

Godly sorrow came over me because I realized I am in the relationship with a God who is deeply in love with me, and I'm hurting His feelings. That's different. That's different. [03:02:56]

If you don't know Jesus, man, I really want you to hear this message that there is nothing you have ever done to disqualify you from how much Jesus is obsessed with you. He's standing at your door right now. [03:06:56]

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