Faith's Journey: Trusting God Through Waiting and Struggle

Summary

Today’s focus is on the journey of faith between God’s promise and its fulfillment—a journey often marked by waiting, struggle, and the formation of character. Looking at the story of Isaac and Rebekah in Genesis 25, we see that even when we are walking in obedience and living under God’s promises, we may still find ourselves in seasons of waiting and uncertainty. Isaac and Rebekah, though chosen to carry forward God’s covenant, faced 20 years of infertility. This was not a sign of God’s absence or displeasure, but rather a season where God was working in them, preparing them for what was to come.

God’s faithfulness is highlighted through the story of Ishmael as well. Even when human plans go awry, God keeps His word. Ishmael, though not the child of promise, still received God’s blessing and became the father of a great people, just as God had promised. This reminds us that God’s promises are sure, even when the path is unexpected or the outcome is different than we imagined.

The waiting period is not wasted time. It is a place where God forms us, deepens our faith, and develops our character. Like Isaac, who prayed persistently for 20 years, we are called to seek God, trust Him, and remain faithful even when the answer seems out of reach. The struggle and tension of waiting are not signs of failure, but opportunities for God to do a deeper work in us.

When the answer finally comes, it may bring new challenges, as Rebekah discovered with the tumultuous pregnancy of twins. Yet, even in the struggle, God is at work, revealing that His plans are bigger than our immediate circumstances. The question shifts from “Why is this happening to me?” to “God, what are you doing in me?” Through suffering, pruning, and even confusion, God is shaping us for greater fruitfulness and preparing us to be a blessing to others.

Ultimately, the call is to trust God’s timeline, surrender our need to understand, and allow Him to work in us as He leads us toward the fulfillment of His promises. The journey may leave us just out of reach of the answer, but it is in that place that God does His greatest work.

Key Takeaways

- God’s Promises Are Unfailing, Even When the Path Is Unexpected
The story of Ishmael demonstrates that God keeps His word, even when human decisions complicate the journey. God’s faithfulness is not limited by our mistakes or detours; His promises endure and are fulfilled in His way and time. This should give us confidence to trust Him, even when the outcome looks different than we expected. [31:17]

- Waiting Is a Crucible for Spiritual Formation
The gap between promise and fulfillment is not a void, but a place where God forms our character and deepens our dependence on Him. Isaac and Rebekah’s 20 years of waiting were not wasted; they were years where God was preparing them for the promise. In our own seasons of waiting, God is often doing a hidden work in us that is essential for what He wants to do through us. [41:14]

- God’s Silence Is Not His Absence
In the tension of waiting, it’s easy to mistake God’s silence for abandonment. Yet, God is sovereign and present, even when we don’t see immediate answers. The challenge is to remain faithful, to keep praying, and to trust that God is working behind the scenes, orchestrating things for our good and His glory. [43:12]

- Struggle Often Precedes Revelation
When the answer finally comes, it may bring new challenges or even more questions. Rebekah’s pregnancy brought unexpected turmoil, but it was in her struggle that God revealed a greater purpose at work. Our struggles can be the very place where God gives us new insight, shapes our testimony, and prepares us to comfort and help others. [53:51]

- The Right Question Is “God, What Are You Doing in Me?”
Instead of asking “Why is this happening to me?”, the more fruitful question is “God, what are you doing in me through this?” This shift in perspective opens us to God’s transformative work, whether it’s pruning away selfishness, building endurance, or preparing us to be a source of comfort to others. The waiting and struggle are not just about the outcome, but about who we are becoming in the process. [54:56]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Connecting with New Hope: App & Opportunities
[03:30] - Upcoming Events: Baptism Sunday & Outreach
[06:45] - Haircuts and Hot Dogs: Serving Our Community
[10:30] - Introduction to Genesis 25: Passing on the Promise
[13:20] - Abraham’s Legacy: Spiritual Inheritance
[16:40] - The Story of Ishmael: God’s Faithfulness
[25:18] - God Keeps His Word: Lessons from Ishmael
[31:17] - God Works Through Waiting
[35:04] - Isaac and Rebekah: The Tension of Not Yet
[38:24] - 20 Years of Waiting: The Purpose of Delay
[41:14] - Formation in the Waiting
[43:12] - Trusting God’s Sovereignty in Uncertainty
[49:17] - Honest Prayers in the Struggle
[51:54] - God’s Revelation in Our Struggle
[54:56] - Pruning, Character, and Testimony
[58:08] - Hearing God’s Voice in Adversity
[58:57] - Practical Steps for the Journey
[01:01:00] - Closing Prayer and Commitment

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

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### Bible Reading

Genesis 25:19-26 (ESV)
> 19 These are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham fathered Isaac, 20 and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife. 21 And Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren. And the Lord granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22 The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. 23 And the Lord said to her,
>
> “Two nations are in your womb,
> and two peoples from within you shall be divided;
> the one shall be stronger than the other,
> the older shall serve the younger.”
>
> 24 When her days to give birth were completed, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25 The first came out red, all his body like a hairy cloak, so they called his name Esau. 26 Afterward his brother came out with his hand holding Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

Genesis 16:10 (ESV)
> The angel of the Lord also said to her, “I will surely multiply your offspring so that they cannot be numbered for multitude.”

Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)
> 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

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### Observation Questions

1. How long did Isaac and Rebekah wait for God’s promise of a child to be fulfilled, and what did Isaac do during that time? ([39:21])
2. What was God’s response to Rebekah when she asked, “Why is this happening to me?” during her difficult pregnancy? ([51:54])
3. According to Genesis 16:10, what promise did God make to Hagar about Ishmael, and how was this fulfilled in Genesis 25? ([33:37])
4. In Romans 5:3-5, what does Paul say suffering produces in the life of a believer?

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### Interpretation Questions

1. What does the 20-year wait for a child reveal about the nature of God’s promises and the way He works in our lives? ([40:24])
2. Why might God allow seasons of waiting or struggle, even when we are walking in obedience and faithfulness? ([41:14])
3. How does God’s answer to Rebekah’s prayer shift her perspective from her immediate struggle to a bigger picture? ([51:54])
4. According to Romans 5:3-5, how can suffering and waiting actually benefit our spiritual growth and character?

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### Application Questions

1. Can you think of a time in your life when you felt “stuck” or like you were waiting for God to answer a prayer? How did you respond during that season? Did you keep praying like Isaac, or did you try to “fix” things yourself? ([42:11])
2. The sermon said, “Don’t confuse God’s silence with God’s absence.” When have you felt like God was silent? What helped you keep trusting Him in that time? ([43:12])
3. Rebekah’s honest question was, “Why is this happening to me?” The pastor suggested a better question is, “God, what are you doing in me through this?” How might asking this question change the way you view your current struggles? ([53:51])
4. The story of Ishmael shows that God keeps His promises, even when human plans go off track. Is there a promise from God’s Word you need to hold onto right now, even if the outcome looks different than you expected? ([33:37])
5. The sermon talked about God using waiting and struggle to “prune” us and develop our character. Is there an area in your life where you sense God is trying to prune something away or build something new in you? ([54:56])
6. Romans 5:3-5 says suffering produces endurance, character, and hope. How have you seen this play out in your own life, or in the life of someone you know?
7. The pastor encouraged us to surrender our need to understand and trust God’s timeline. What is one practical step you can take this week to surrender control and trust God more fully with something you’re waiting for? ([58:57])

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Devotional

Day 1: God Always Keeps His Promises

God is a promise-keeping God who remains faithful even when circumstances seem uncertain or when we take detours from His plan. The story of Ishmael’s lineage in Genesis 25 is a powerful reminder that God fulfills every word He speaks, regardless of human mistakes or impatience. Even when Abraham and Sarah acted out of impatience, God did not abandon Ishmael but kept His promise to make him a great nation, demonstrating that His faithfulness is not dependent on our perfection. You can trust that if God has spoken a promise over your life, He will bring it to pass in His perfect timing. [33:37]

Genesis 16:10 (ESV)
The angel of the Lord also said to her, “I will surely multiply your offspring so that they cannot be numbered for multitude.”

Reflection: Is there a promise from God you’ve doubted because of delays or detours? How can you choose to trust His faithfulness today, even if you don’t see the answer yet?


Day 2: God Works Through Waiting

Waiting is often uncomfortable, but it is in the waiting that God does some of His deepest work in us. Isaac and Rebekah waited twenty years for the fulfillment of God’s promise, enduring disappointment and uncertainty, yet God was not absent—He was forming their character and deepening their faith. The gap between promise and fulfillment is not wasted time; it is a season where God prepares us for what He has prepared for us. If you find yourself in a season of waiting, remember that God is working in ways you cannot see, shaping you for the future He has planned. [41:14]

Genesis 25:21 (ESV)
And Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren. And the Lord granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are waiting on God? How might God be using this season to form something in you rather than just giving you what you want?


Day 3: Prayer and Trust in the In-Between

In the tension between God’s promise and its fulfillment, our response matters. Isaac’s example shows us that persistent prayer and trust are essential, even when answers seem delayed. Rather than taking matters into his own hands, Isaac continued to seek God for twenty years, demonstrating faith that God would keep His word. In your own waiting, resist the urge to fix things yourself or give in to frustration; instead, bring your needs to God in prayer and trust His timing, knowing He is sovereign and good. [43:12]

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: When you feel tempted to “fix” your situation or grow anxious, what would it look like to bring your concerns to God in prayer and trust Him with the outcome today?


Day 4: God Forms Us Through Struggle

Struggle and suffering are not signs of God’s absence but often the very tools He uses to shape our character and prepare us for greater things. Like Rebekah, who faced unexpected struggle even after her prayer was answered, we may find that God’s blessings come with new challenges. In these moments, God invites us to ask not “Why is this happening to me?” but “God, what are you doing in me?” Through suffering, God produces endurance, character, and hope, and sometimes prunes away what hinders us so we can bear more fruit. [54:56]

Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Reflection: Think of a current struggle or disappointment—what is one way you sense God might be using it to shape your character or draw you closer to Him?


Day 5: God’s Purpose Is Bigger Than Our Pain

God’s work in our lives is often about something much bigger than we can see. When Rebekah cried out in confusion, God revealed that her struggle was part of a greater plan involving nations and destinies. In the same way, your pain and waiting may be preparing you to comfort others, build a testimony, or participate in God’s larger story. Rather than focusing only on relief, ask God to help you see His purpose and to trust that He is with you, guiding you through every season. [56:46]

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Reflection: Who in your life might need the comfort or wisdom you’ve gained through your own struggles? How can you intentionally encourage or support them this week?

Quotes

So parents, what that means is the greatest inheritance you will ever give your children isn't a house, it's not a car, it's not a bank account, it's not a trust fund, it's their faith in Jesus. That's it. And I hope you're committed to that. I would hope that like Abraham, that in your final breath, that you have done everything humanly possible to make sure that your kids know Jesus. Amen? [00:29:50] (27 seconds)  #CommitToPassingFaith Edit Clip

All that to say, when God says he's going to do something, he does it. And here's the, here's the application for us. I don't care who you are. If God makes a promise to you, you can be sure he will keep his promise. He's a promise -keeping God. Amen? [00:34:16] (17 seconds)  #TrustInGodsPromises Edit Clip

Now, if that's where you find yourself today, this message is for you. In fact, the big idea in today's message is simply this. You're going to love this. God works through waiting. Now, I hate that, but that's true. Even when the future seems uncertain, God works through waiting. [00:36:14] (19 seconds)  #GodWorksThroughWaiting Edit Clip

And here's the challenge for you and me. Waiting can feel like failure. Waiting can feel like hopelessness. Waiting can create all kinds of confusion. You begin to even wonder, did I hear from God? Does God care about me? Does God love me? Why isn't he answering? And what I want to challenge you with is simply this, that in the midst of the waiting, he is simply forming you. It's called formation. [00:41:19] (27 seconds)  #WaitingIsFormation Edit Clip

And let me encourage you that you should not confuse God's silence with God's absence. And in the midst don't, of all that, don't let, don't let God's delay lead you to disobedience. Consider instead this, that in the waiting, God is deepening your faith. That in the waiting, God is developing your character. [00:42:46] (24 seconds)  #PrayTrustWait Edit Clip

See what Paul is saying is the very thing that God is using maybe in your life, that's bringing pain is the very thing he's going to use in you to bring healing to somebody else that your story could be somebody else's survival guide. [00:57:01] (16 seconds)  #TrustGodsTiming Edit Clip