Staci_Isaiah_40_Sermon_Final.docx

Devotional

Day 1: Leaning Forward in Faithful Expectation

Active waiting on God is not about sitting idly by, but about trusting Him with hope and anticipation. When we wait on the Lord, we are invited to surrender our own timelines and agendas, believing that God’s wisdom and understanding far surpass our own. This kind of waiting is an act of faith—it means choosing to trust that God is working, even when we cannot see the outcome. In the process, God shapes our hearts, deepens our dependence on Him, and renews our strength for the journey ahead.
Waiting on God is not wasted time. It is a season where God prepares us for what is next, teaching us to listen, to trust, and to rest in His promises. As we lean forward in expectation, we discover that God’s timing is always perfect, and His plans are always for our good.

“He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 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.” (Isaiah 40:29–31, ESV)

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel impatient or anxious about God’s timing? What would it look like to actively trust Him with that area today?

Day 2: Fruitfulness Over Frenzy

It’s easy to fill our days with activity, believing that busyness equals productivity. But not every good thing is a God thing. When we rush from one task to another without seeking God’s direction, we risk spiritual dryness and miss out on the fruitfulness that comes from obedience. The enemy is content to keep us busy, as long as our busyness keeps us from God’s best.
True productivity in God’s kingdom is measured not by how much we do, but by how closely we follow His lead. God invites us to slow down, to seek His guidance, and to let Him direct our steps. When we do, our efforts become fruitful, and our lives reflect the peace and purpose that come from walking in step with Him.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” (Psalm 127:1–2, ESV)

Reflection: What is one activity or commitment you are involved in that may be more about busyness than fruitfulness? How can you invite God to direct your efforts in this area?

Day 3: Choosing Presence Over Performance

God values our relationship with Him more than our performance for Him. The story of Mary and Martha reminds us that while serving is good, being with Jesus is better. Martha was distracted by her many tasks, but Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen.
God invites us to prioritize His presence, knowing that we cannot pour out to others unless we are first filled by Him. Our value to God is not found in what we do, but in who we are to Him. When we choose presence over performance, we find rest, renewal, and a deeper connection with the One who loves us most.

“But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.’” (Luke 10:41–42, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you been prioritizing doing for God over being with God? What is one practical way you can choose presence with Him today?

Day 4: Tuning Your Heart to God’s Voice

In a world filled with noise and distractions, it can be difficult to hear God’s voice. Yet, listening is essential for spiritual clarity and direction. God speaks in the quiet moments, inviting us to slow down, to be still, and to listen for His guidance.
Intentional listening requires humility and focus. It means creating space in our lives to hear what God is saying above the noise of our schedules, our worries, and our own desires. When we tune our hearts to God’s voice, we avoid the trap of doing things He never asked of us and instead align our actions with His will.

“And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.” (1 Kings 19:12–13a, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to quiet the noise around you and listen for God’s voice?

Day 5: Surrendering Your Way for God’s Way

Obedience to Jesus often means letting go of our own plans, traditions, or comforts. He calls us to lose our lives for His sake in order to truly find them. This surrender can be difficult, especially when what we are holding onto feels necessary or familiar.
Yet, God promises renewed strength and freedom to those who trust Him enough to let go. Each day, we are faced with the choice: cling to our own way and remain weary, or surrender to God’s way and soar on wings like eagles. Obedience may require sacrifice, but it always leads to the abundant life God desires for us.

“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.’” (Luke 9:23–24, ESV)

Reflection: What is one plan, habit, or comfort God may be asking you to release today? How can you take a step of obedience and trust Him with it?

Sermon Summary

The sermon, rooted in Isaiah 40:27–31, addresses the exhaustion and weariness many of us feel, especially during busy seasons. It highlights the difference between being busy and being fruitful, reminding us that God promises renewed strength to those who actively wait on Him. The message challenges us to examine whether our efforts are directed by God or simply driven by our own plans and expectations. Using the story of Mary and Martha, the sermon emphasizes the importance of choosing presence with Jesus over performance for Him. Ultimately, it calls us to slow down, listen for God’s voice above the noise, and trust that true strength comes not from doing more, but from drawing closer to Him.

Key Takeaways

1. Active Waiting Is Trusting God’s Timing Waiting on the Lord is not passive; it’s an act of hope and expectation. It means leaning forward in faith, trusting that God will direct our steps even when we don’t see the full picture. This kind of waiting requires surrendering our timelines and agendas, believing that God’s understanding is far greater than ours. In the waiting, God shapes our hearts and renews our strength.
2. Busyness Can Be a Spiritual Trap Not all good works are God’s works. The enemy is content to keep us busy, as long as our busyness keeps us from God’s best. When we fill our lives with activity without seeking God’s direction, we risk spiritual dryness and miss out on the fruitfulness that comes from obedience. True productivity in God’s kingdom is measured not by how much we do, but by how closely we follow His lead.
3. Presence Over Performance The story of Mary and Martha reminds us that being with Jesus is more important than doing for Jesus. Martha’s service was good, but Mary’s choice to sit at Jesus’ feet was better. God invites us to prioritize His presence, knowing that we cannot pour out to others unless we are first filled by Him. Our value to God is not in our performance, but in our relationship with Him.
4. Listening Is Essential in a Noisy World In a world full of distractions and competing voices, tuning our ears to God’s voice is both challenging and essential. Listening requires intentional focus and humility, creating space to hear what God is saying above the noise. When we listen, we avoid the trap of doing things God never asked of us and instead align our actions with His will. Spiritual clarity comes from quieting ourselves before God.
5. Obedience Means Letting Go of Our Own Plans Jesus calls us to lose our lives for His sake in order to truly find them. This means letting go of traditions, habits, or plans that God is asking us to release, even if they feel comfortable or necessary. Obedience may require sacrifice, but it leads to the renewed strength and freedom God promises. The choice is daily: cling to our own way and remain weary, or surrender to God’s way and soar on wings like eagles.

Bible Study Guide

**Small Group Bible Study Guide: Renewed Strength in God’s Presence**
*(Based on Isaiah 40:27–31 and the sermon summary)*

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### Bible Reading

**Isaiah 40:27–31**
“Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God’? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”

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### Observation Questions

According to Isaiah 40:27–31, what does God promise to those who hope or wait on Him?
In the sermon, what is the difference described between being busy and being fruitful?
How does the story of Mary and Martha illustrate the idea of “presence over performance”?
What does the sermon say about the kind of “waiting” God calls us to do?

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God connects renewed strength with waiting or hoping in Him, rather than with doing more?
In what ways can busyness become a spiritual trap, according to the sermon? How does this relate to the passage in Isaiah?
What does it look like, practically, to choose presence with Jesus over performance for Him? How might this challenge common ideas about serving God?
The sermon mentions listening for God’s voice above the noise. Why is this so difficult, and what might be at stake if we don’t make space to listen?

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### Application Questions

Think about your current schedule and commitments. Are there activities you’re involved in that might be more about busyness than about following God’s direction? What is one thing you could let go of this week to make more space for God’s presence?
When was the last time you intentionally waited on God for direction, rather than rushing ahead with your own plans? What did that look like, and what was the outcome?
The story of Mary and Martha shows two different ways of relating to Jesus. Which sister do you relate to more right now, and why? What would it look like for you to “sit at Jesus’ feet” this week?
What are some specific distractions or “noises” in your life that make it hard to hear God’s voice? What practical step can you take to quiet those distractions, even for a short time each day?
Is there a tradition, habit, or plan in your life that you sense God might be asking you to release? What fears or hesitations do you have about letting it go?
The sermon says that true strength comes from drawing closer to God, not from doing more. How can you remind yourself of this truth when you feel overwhelmed or exhausted?
What is one way you can practice “active waiting” this week—trusting God’s timing and direction, even if you don’t see immediate results?

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**Closing Prayer Suggestion:**
Invite the group to pray for renewed strength, for the courage to let go of busyness, and for hearts that are open to God’s presence and voice.

Sermon Quotes

Without God’s direction, we just stay on that same old hamster wheel the enemy loves to keep us on—busy but not fruitful. Satan is perfectly fine with us doing good works, as long as they aren’t God works.

Saying “yes” to something always means saying “no” to something else. So who are we saying yes to? Our own plans—or God’s?

Busy-ness can be the enemy’s playground. It can make us feel important, but it can also make us spiritually dry.

Mary chose presence over performance. And that’s what God is calling us to—His presence. Because when we wait on Him, He renews our strength. We can’t pour from an empty cup.

If all we do is talk and never listen, we’ll keep making “sandwiches that Jesus never ordered.” Isn’t that what Martha was doing in that story I mentioned earlier?

If we can tune our ears to Him above the noise, we’ll know where He’s leading us.

If God is calling you to something today, you have a choice. You can give up your plans in obedience, or you can cling to them and stay on that hamster wheel—busy but going nowhere.

The strength we’ve been chasing was never about doing more—it was about drawing closer to Him.

He’s not asking us to do everything—He’s asking us to walk with Him.

Waiting on the Lord means allowing Him to direct our paths. It’s an active waiting—one that leans forward in faith.

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Staci_Isaiah_40_Sermon_Final.docx

Devotional

Day 1: Leaning Forward in Faithful Expectation

Day 2: Fruitfulness Over Frenzy

Day 3: Choosing Presence Over Performance

Day 4: Tuning Your Heart to God’s Voice

Day 5: Surrendering Your Way for God’s Way

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Quotes

Chatbot

Staci_Isaiah_40_Sermon_Final.docx

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