Finding Strength in Active Waiting on God

 

Summary

In times of crisis, when life seems overwhelming and unfair, God offers us new strength. This strength is not just a passive waiting but an active intertwining of our lives with God, much like plaiting hair or intertwining strands of a rope. This process of "waiting on the Lord" involves integrating every aspect of our lives with Him, ensuring that our connection with God is not limited to Sundays but extends throughout the week. This deep connection with God helps us withstand life's storms, as we are tightly bound to Him, not easily swayed by circumstances.

Waiting on God also means resisting the temptation to seek solutions outside of Him, especially when it seems like He is not acting. The Bible is filled with examples of people who had to wait for God's timing, such as Sarah, Noah, Joseph, and the disciples. Their experiences teach us that waiting is not about inactivity but about being deeply connected to God, allowing His presence to be felt in our pain.

God provides new strength in three distinct ways. First, He may intervene supernaturally, lifting us out of our situation like an eagle rescuing its eaglet. Second, He may allow us to run through our challenges, providing a second wind to keep us going. This requires focusing on Him, much like watching TV while running on a treadmill helps us endure longer. Lastly, when we can no longer run, He gives us the strength to walk, offering divine encouragement to sustain us. In this phase, God may not change the situation but changes us, providing encouragement through people, songs, or sermons.

Ultimately, waiting on the Lord is about gaining new strength, strength we do not currently possess. It is about being recharged, much like a phone that needs to be connected to a power source. God promises to be with us, providing the strength we need to face whatever comes our way.

Key Takeaways:

- Waiting on the Lord is an active process of intertwining our lives with God, ensuring that our connection with Him is not limited to Sundays but extends throughout the week. This deep connection helps us withstand life's storms, as we are tightly bound to Him. [02:58]

- Resisting the temptation to seek solutions outside of God is crucial, especially when it seems like He is not acting. The Bible teaches us that waiting is not about inactivity but about being deeply connected to God, allowing His presence to be felt in our pain. [04:37]

- God provides new strength in three ways: by intervening supernaturally, allowing us to run through challenges with a second wind, or giving us the strength to walk when we can no longer run. Each method reflects His unique way of sustaining us. [10:53]

- Divine encouragement occurs when God changes us rather than the situation. He may not fix the problem, but He provides encouragement through people, songs, or sermons, helping us accept what He does not intend to change. [16:06]

- Gaining new strength from God is like recharging a phone; it requires being connected to the power source. God promises to be with us, providing the strength we need to face whatever comes our way. [09:58]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - God's Intervention
- [00:34] - Life's Unfairness
- [00:53] - Waiting on the Lord
- [01:35] - The Meaning of Waiting
- [02:19] - Intertwining with God
- [03:36] - Daily Connection with God
- [04:16] - Avoiding Outside Solutions
- [05:12] - Biblical Examples of Waiting
- [06:22] - Worship Over Complaining
- [07:24] - Active Waiting
- [08:19] - Preparing for Crisis
- [09:01] - New Strength in Crisis
- [10:53] - Three Ways God Gives Strength
- [16:06] - Divine Encouragement

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 40:31 - "But those 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."
2. Psalm 130:5-6 - "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning."
3. Lamentations 3:25-26 - "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."

Observation Questions:
1. According to Isaiah 40:31, what are the three ways God provides new strength to those who wait on Him?
2. How does the sermon describe the process of "waiting on the Lord"? What imagery is used to explain this concept? [01:35]
3. What examples from the Bible were mentioned in the sermon to illustrate the concept of waiting on God? [05:12]
4. How does the sermon explain the difference between passively waiting and actively intertwining our lives with God? [02:58]

Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the imagery of plaiting hair or intertwining strands of a rope help us understand the concept of waiting on the Lord? [02:19]
2. How might the experiences of biblical figures like Sarah, Noah, and Joseph inform our understanding of God's timing and intervention? [05:12]
3. What does it mean for God to provide "new strength" in the context of life's challenges, according to the sermon? [09:01]
4. How does the sermon suggest we can resist the temptation to seek solutions outside of God during times of crisis? [04:37]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent crisis in your life. How did you respond, and in what ways could you have intertwined your life more closely with God during that time? [02:58]
2. Identify a situation where you are tempted to seek solutions outside of God. What steps can you take to resist this temptation and wait on the Lord instead? [04:37]
3. Consider the three ways God provides new strength. Which of these have you experienced in your life, and how did it impact your faith journey? [10:53]
4. How can you incorporate the practice of "plaiting" your life with God into your daily routine, ensuring that your connection with Him extends beyond Sundays? [03:36]
5. Think of a time when God provided divine encouragement through a person, song, or sermon. How did this change your perspective on the situation you were facing? [16:06]
6. What practical steps can you take to prepare for future crises by strengthening your connection with God now? [08:19]
7. How can you use the imagery of a phone needing to be recharged to remind yourself of the importance of staying connected to God for strength? [09:58]

Devotional

Day 1: Intertwining Our Lives with God
In times of crisis, it is essential to actively intertwine our lives with God, ensuring that our connection with Him is not limited to Sundays but extends throughout the week. This deep connection helps us withstand life's storms, as we are tightly bound to Him. Much like plaiting hair or intertwining strands of a rope, this process of "waiting on the Lord" involves integrating every aspect of our lives with Him. By doing so, we ensure that our faith is not easily swayed by circumstances, and we remain steadfast in our spiritual journey. [02:58]

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: What is one practical way you can intertwine your daily routine with God this week, ensuring His presence is felt beyond Sunday services?


Day 2: Resisting Outside Solutions
Resisting the temptation to seek solutions outside of God is crucial, especially when it seems like He is not acting. The Bible teaches us that waiting is not about inactivity but about being deeply connected to God, allowing His presence to be felt in our pain. Many biblical figures, such as Sarah, Noah, and Joseph, had to wait for God's timing, learning that His plans are always perfect. By trusting in God's timing and resisting the urge to take matters into our own hands, we demonstrate our faith and reliance on His wisdom. [04:37]

Psalm 27:14 (ESV): "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"

Reflection: Identify a situation where you are tempted to seek solutions outside of God. How can you practice patience and trust in His timing today?


Day 3: Receiving New Strength
God provides new strength in three ways: by intervening supernaturally, allowing us to run through challenges with a second wind, or giving us the strength to walk when we can no longer run. Each method reflects His unique way of sustaining us. Whether He lifts us out of our situation like an eagle rescuing its eaglet or provides a second wind to keep us going, God's strength is always available to us. When we can no longer run, He offers divine encouragement to sustain us, changing us rather than the situation. [10:53]

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need God's strength the most right now? How can you open yourself to receive His strength in that area today?


Day 4: Embracing Divine Encouragement
Divine encouragement occurs when God changes us rather than the situation. He may not fix the problem, but He provides encouragement through people, songs, or sermons, helping us accept what He does not intend to change. This transformation allows us to find peace and strength in His presence, even when circumstances remain challenging. By embracing divine encouragement, we learn to rely on God's wisdom and trust that His plans are for our ultimate good. [16:06]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you seek and embrace God's encouragement through this situation today?


Day 5: Recharging Through Connection
Gaining new strength from God is like recharging a phone; it requires being connected to the power source. God promises to be with us, providing the strength we need to face whatever comes our way. By maintaining a strong connection with Him, we ensure that we are spiritually recharged and ready to tackle life's challenges. This connection is not passive but requires intentional effort to seek God's presence and guidance in every aspect of our lives. [09:58]

John 15:5 (ESV): "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take to ensure you are spiritually recharged and connected to God throughout the week?

Quotes


Now the question is what does that mean the Hebrew word for weight is very picturesque all of you ladies know it because the word weight means to Plat the hair did it it was to Plat the hair when women or men plat the hair they intertwine sections of hair so that they are tied together in a tight way. [00:01:35]

When you straighten your hair it's loose and hanging down when you plat your hair it has been inter coagulated and tightly tied together so that it is no longer subject to the blowing wind because it has been tightened together by plat it was used of a rope where the strands were intertwined to make a stronger rope. [00:02:19]

So when he says wait on the Lord he's not talking about passively sitting down doing nothing he's talking about platting your life intertwining all of your life so that everything is wrapped and intertwined with him so that there isn't church and the rest of my week it's God I got started on Sunday morning. [00:02:58]

But my stuff is so messed up my situation is so deep I'm going to Plat my circumstances plat my decisions plot my goals and intertwine them with you Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday and back again on Sunday I'm not going to just straighten my hair on Sunday and let stuff blow it all week long. [00:03:36]

In addition it means to not go outside of God to fix it because the Temptation when you're in a crisis that is knocking you down is to look for other options when you don't think God is doing anything they said my way is hidden from the Lord maybe we don't see God doing anything because we haven't platted our lives around him. [00:04:16]

Sarah had to wait for a baby Noah had the way for a flood Joseph had the wait longer in prison Martha and Mary had to wait for Resurrection the disciples had to wait for the Holy Spirit we're waiting for the return of Christ Hannah had to wait for a Baby Ruth had to wait for her husband. [00:05:12]

You find people but when the thing happened that God wanted to happened those people were connected only when that connection was there when they had planted themselves did they experience whatever God was was going to do in their situation how do you know that you're waiting on God this way because the majority of your time you spend in worshiping not complaining. [00:06:22]

God gives new Strength when he doesn't swoop down and take you out of it he lets you run through it he says you going to run you're going to run but I will give you a second win so you can keep going I'm going to let you run I'm not going to swoop down and make it disappear but I'm going to let you run run through it. [00:12:32]

If you focus on me even though you're running I will give you a second wind so you can go further with this situation further with this pain further with this problem than you thought you could go cuz I'mma give you a second win then there's a third way he gives you new Strength it says and they will walk and not become weary. [00:13:48]

The first way is he swoops down and just takes you out of it the second way he doesn't swoop down he lets you go through the process of running but he gives you the ability to keep going that's right that's right the Third third way you can no longer run he says they are walking they're walking on the Third Way. [00:14:12]

That's Divine encouragement that's when God doesn't change the situation he changes you in the problem you doesn't he doesn't fix it he doesn't turn it around like you prayed but he does something in you that that no longer matters that that no longer is the situation he'll bring a person in your life to give you an encouraging word. [00:15:56]

He'll bring a song song on the radio to inspire you there'll be a sermon that you thought was prepared with only you in mind that's when all he's doing is just encouraging you nothing has Chang except you because sometimes God puts us in a position to accept something he doesn't intend to change and so all you can do is walk. [00:16:26]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Nov 22, 2023. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?