Embracing the Waiting: Trusting God's Timing and Purpose

Devotional

Day 1: Perfect Peace in the Presence of Jesus

There is a peace that surpasses all understanding, found not in our own striving or performance, but in the very presence of Jesus. When sadness or heaviness weighs on your heart, remember that Jesus offers Himself as the source of unfailing love and faithfulness. He invites you to receive His peace, to be filled with His love, and to rest in the truth that you are a beloved child of God, reborn not by human effort but by the grace of God. In every moment of uncertainty or rejection, you can turn to Him and find perfect peace, for He has made His home among us and desires to fill every empty place with His presence. [03:26]

John 1:10-14 (ESV)
He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Reflection: Where do you sense sadness or unrest in your heart today, and how can you invite Jesus to fill that space with His perfect peace and love?

Day 2: God Works in the In Between

When God gives a dream or a promise, there is often a season of waiting—a time that can feel long, uncertain, or even discouraging. Yet, it is in this "in between" that God is most at work, preparing hearts, building faith, and shaping character. Like Joseph, who found himself in prison after receiving a great dream, we may feel overlooked or forgotten, but God is never absent. He is working behind the scenes, orchestrating events, and inviting us to trust Him even when we cannot see the outcome. The waiting is not wasted; it is the place where God prepares us for the fulfillment of His promises. [13:35]

Genesis 40:1-23 (ESV)
Some time after this, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker committed an offense against their lord the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody. And one night they both dreamed—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison—each his own dream, and each dream with its own interpretation. When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled. So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house, “Why are your faces downcast today?” They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.” So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, “In my dream there was a vine before me, and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes. Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup and placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.” Then Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office, and you shall place Pharaoh’s cup in his hand as formerly, when you were his cupbearer. Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit.” When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, “I also had a dream: there were three cake baskets on my head, and in the uppermost basket there were all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating it out of the basket on my head.” And Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days. In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head—from you!—and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat the flesh from you.” On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel "in between" right now, and how can you trust that God is actively working even when you cannot see progress?

Day 3: Seek the Well-being of Others in the Waiting

In seasons of waiting or uncertainty, it is easy to become self-focused, but true maturity and leadership are found when we take our eyes off ourselves and look to the needs of others. Joseph, even in prison, chose to serve and interpret the dreams of those around him, seeking their well-being above his own. When we bless, serve, and pray for others, God is glorified, and we often find that as we refresh others, we ourselves are refreshed. Jesus calls us to a life of generosity, prayer, and service, not for recognition, but because this is the way of His kingdom—a kingdom where love and self-giving are the measure of greatness. [27:22]

Matthew 6:6 (ESV)
But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Reflection: Who is someone in your life you can intentionally serve or encourage today, even as you wait for your own breakthrough?

Day 4: God Helps the Helpless—Depend on Him, Not Yourself

The world often says, "God helps those who help themselves," but the truth of Scripture is that God helps the helpless, the needy, and those who recognize their dependence on Him. In our weakness, God’s strength is made perfect; in our need, He becomes our refuge and provider. Rather than striving in our own strength or seeking to control outcomes, we are invited to humble ourselves, admit our need, and trust in God’s grace. He is a defense for the helpless and a refuge in every storm, and it is in this place of dependency that we experience His faithfulness most deeply. [33:20]

Isaiah 25:4 (ESV)
For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to stop striving and instead admit your need for God’s help and grace today?

Day 5: Faithfulness in the Little Leads to Greater Things

God calls us to be faithful with what He has placed in our hands, even when it seems small or insignificant. As we steward the little—serving, giving, and preparing in the "in between"—God promises to entrust us with more. The story of Joseph and the teachings of Jesus remind us that our lives are not measured by what we accumulate, but by what we give and how we love. When we walk by faith, taking one step at a time in obedience, God never forgets us. He holds us in His hand and, in His perfect timing, brings about the fulfillment of His promises. [40:47]

Luke 16:10 (ESV)
One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.

Reflection: What is one small act of faithfulness you can commit to today, trusting that God sees and will honor your obedience?

Sermon Summary

In seasons of waiting, when the promise of God seems distant and the dream feels delayed, there is a unique work that God does in our hearts. The story of Joseph reminds us that the “in between” is not wasted time; it is a place of preparation, faithfulness, and deepening trust in God’s character. Joseph received a dream from God, but before its fulfillment, he endured betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment. Yet, even in the darkest places, Joseph chose to serve others, to interpret their dreams, and to be a blessing where he was planted. This posture of humility and generosity is not just a means to an end, but the very way God shapes us for the promises He has spoken.

God’s faithfulness is not always seen in immediate results, but in His sustaining presence and provision along the journey. Time and again, as we step out in faith—whether it’s giving sacrificially, serving others, or simply clearing the land in front of us—God meets us with unexpected provision and favor. The testimonies of miraculous provision for buildings and land are not just about property, but about God’s heart to establish His people and fulfill His purposes through them. Our generosity and willingness to invest in others’ dreams often become the very soil in which our own dreams take root and flourish.

It’s easy to become discouraged when others seem to move forward while we feel stuck. But the call is to keep our eyes on Jesus, the true hero of every story, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him. Our lives are not measured by what we accumulate, but by what we give away—our love, our service, our faith. In the “in between,” God invites us to ask not just what we are waiting for, but who we are becoming, and how we can be a blessing to those around us. As we remain faithful with what He’s given, He entrusts us with more, and His purposes unfold in ways we could never orchestrate ourselves.

Key Takeaways

1. The “in between” seasons are sacred spaces where God prepares us for His promises. Rather than rushing through the waiting, we are invited to embrace the process, trusting that God is at work even when we feel forgotten or overlooked. Our character is shaped, and our faith is refined in these hidden places. [13:35]
2. Serving others in the midst of our own waiting is a mark of spiritual maturity. Joseph’s willingness to interpret the dreams of the cupbearer and baker, even while he was in prison, demonstrates that God’s favor often flows through us as we invest in the well-being of others. When we take our eyes off ourselves and seek to bless those around us, we participate in God’s redemptive work. [26:46]
3. God’s provision is often miraculous, but it usually follows steps of obedience and faith. The stories of land and building provision are reminders that God honors our willingness to start small, to “clear the land,” and to give sacrificially. He delights in meeting us at our point of need, often in ways we could not have anticipated. [10:29]
4. Our identity and calling are rooted in who we are in Christ, not just in what we do. Asking God who we are called to be, what we are called to do, and where we are called to serve helps us live with purpose and clarity. When we align our lives with God’s purposes, we find fulfillment not in recognition, but in faithful stewardship. [24:14]
5. The ultimate example is Jesus, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him. Every story in Scripture points to Him as the true hero. As we fix our eyes on Jesus, we are empowered to run our race with endurance, to lay down our lives for others, and to trust that God’s purposes will prevail—even when the outcome is still unseen. [38:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:49] - Prophetic Encouragement: Singing Over Your Season
[03:46] - Embracing Expansion and God’s Faithfulness
[06:10] - Trusting God for the Impossible
[10:29] - Miraculous Provision and Delayed Dreams
[13:09] - What to Do in the “In Between”
[14:37] - Sharing Your Dreams and Facing Doubt
[16:19] - Joseph’s Story: Serving in the Waiting
[21:35] - Wrestling with God’s Timing
[23:28] - Four Questions for Purpose and Calling
[26:46] - Maturity in Serving Others’ Dreams
[29:01] - Disappointment and the Call to Generosity
[31:43] - God’s Kingdom: Unconditional, Not Transactional
[33:20] - Living Dependent on God’s Grace
[35:16] - A Life Measured by Generosity
[37:05] - Seeing Jesus in Every Story
[40:28] - Faithfulness in the Next Step
[41:05] - Another Testimony of God’s Provision
[45:34] - Looking Forward with Faith
[46:19] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In Genesis 40, what specific actions did Joseph take while he was in prison, and how did he respond to the needs of the cupbearer and baker? [16:19]
According to Hebrews 12:1-2, what is the motivation for enduring hardship and “running the race” as followers of Jesus? [37:42]
What does Proverbs 11:25 say about generosity, and how does this connect to Joseph’s actions in the story? [35:16]
In the sermon, what were some of the practical steps the church took during their “in between” season before seeing God’s provision? [12:22]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Joseph chose to serve others and interpret their dreams, even when he was in a difficult and unjust situation? What does this reveal about his character and trust in God? [16:19]
The sermon mentions that “the in between is not wasted time.” How does Joseph’s story challenge the way we view seasons of waiting or delay in our own lives? [13:35]
The preacher said, “Our lives are not measured by what we accumulate, but by what we give away.” How does this perspective differ from the world’s view of success? [35:16]
Hebrews 12:2 says Jesus endured the cross “for the joy set before him.” What does this teach us about how to handle our own seasons of waiting or suffering? [38:14]

Application Questions

Think about a current “in between” season in your life. How have you seen God at work in ways that might not be obvious or immediate? Are there areas where you need to trust that God is preparing you, even if you feel overlooked? [13:35]
Joseph served others and invested in their dreams while he was still waiting for his own breakthrough. Is there someone in your life right now whose dream or need you can support, even if your own prayers haven’t been answered yet? What would that look like this week? [26:46]
The sermon shared stories of miraculous provision that followed steps of obedience and sacrificial giving. Is there a step of faith or generosity you feel God is prompting you to take, even if the outcome is uncertain? [10:29]
The preacher encouraged asking God four questions: Who am I called to be? What am I called to do? Where am I called to serve? Where am I called to serve? Which of these questions do you find most challenging, and why? [24:14]
When others seem to be moving forward and you feel stuck, how do you typically respond? What practical steps can you take to keep your eyes on Jesus and avoid comparison or discouragement? [38:14]
The sermon said, “Our generosity and willingness to invest in others’ dreams often become the very soil in which our own dreams take root and flourish.” Can you think of a time when helping someone else led to unexpected blessing or growth in your own life? [35:16]
What is one specific way you can “clear the land” or prepare for God’s promise in your life this month, even if you don’t see immediate results? [12:22]

Sermon Clips

God gave us the promise of the land. God gave us the quotes and how much it's going to cost. He had breakthrough and promises waiting for us, but we had to start clearing the land. What do you do in the in between? [00:13:18]

Friends, Charles Spurgeon said, "God works in the in between. He's not absent during your waiting, but instead he is preparing you for his promises. Now, if we look at the life of Joseph, many of us know this story, but I want to read for us quite a lengthy portion because I I want to just be able to read the word. God's word is powerful. It's effective. We need to spend time uh in it." [00:13:38]

And I want to tell you, just be careful who you share your dreams with. Because people are not going to always see with the eyes of faith. When we bought that piece of land, many many people came to us and said, "Listen, G." [00:14:34]

Friends, for Joseph, his dream was bigger than himself. You and I today are walking in his dream. We are the fruit of his dream through Joseph and him being used by God to save the people of Israel paved way for the Messiah to come for Jesus to to save the world. [00:16:01]

But you see friends, when he when Joseph interpreted the dream of the cup bearer, in his mind, he thought the cup bearer was his way out, was his way of salvation. And sometimes when we come into and and sometimes even we can feel like we can live on the faith of others. [00:22:00]

We say, "Well, if I work on this person's dream, then that's going to be the breakthrough that's going to come. If I do these things, if I perform, if I give myself faithfully, then maybe that's going to somehow earn my way. That's they're going to be my salvation. They're going to be bring the breakthrough for me." [00:22:14]

But friends, he needed to understand that God is the one that sets us free. God is the one that fulfills the dreams he has for us. And so when you and I sometimes feel like we've been abandoned or overlooked or it's taking too long, God is working on your and my story. [00:22:28]

Lisa Turkistst reminds us. He says, "You are not forgotten. You are seen. You are loved. And you matter to God even when you feel invisible." [00:22:54]

And I want to encourage you to maybe this is an aside, but to maybe go before the Lord and and ask these four questions of him and to ponder these four things. This is something I I recently heard from Tyrron Daniel who leads the NCMI team. [00:23:30]

Who am I called to be? Now some of us will jump immediately. We'll say well I'm called to be a husband, a father, a doctor, a lawyer, a mother. No, who are you called to be? As in some people, you know, you meet them and it's like this person just brings joy. [00:23:44]

That's who I'm called to be. Secondly, what am I called to do? And there I think that's when a lot of the things we like I'm called to do well be a f a husband a father that those are things that we do. I'm called to be involved in in business as a business person or mother or whatever. [00:24:07]

Because when we do that, friends, we begin to not be so invisible. We don't miss out on something of what God's plans and purposes are for us. So, I want to encourage you. Even though you might feel like you're over forgotten or overlooked, God is at work in your life. [00:25:31]

Friends, can I encourage us to take heed a little bit of relief from Joseph's life? It's not about what we can get out of things. Because God in due time, as we know in the story of Joseph, he does get elevated. The the dream does come to pass and God does elevate him and and fulfill his wildest dreams. [00:30:56]

God's way is not us helping ourselves, but us recognizing how helpless we are. God gives grace to the humble, but he opposes the proud. [00:32:57]

And so, friends, the the way to really get meaning out of your life is to devote yourself to loving others. That's what Mish Albornne said. And so I want to just draw my message to a close by, reminding us that Jesus is with us in the in between. [00:36:48]

Because if we're faithful in the little, God will entrust us with much. When we're faithful with the stewarding what God's given us, maybe one day he will entrust us with more than what we could ever think of. Friends, God never forgets his own. He has got us in the palm of his hand and we can walk with confidence. [00:40:45]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What does waiting in the in-between teach believers?

How does faithfulness influence God's timing and provision?

What is the significance of serving others’ dreams?