Patiently Waiting: Trusting God's Timing and Purpose
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound theme of waiting patiently for the Lord, as inspired by Psalm 40:1-3. We began by acknowledging the challenges and frustrations that come with waiting, especially when life's circumstances seem overwhelming. Many of us find ourselves in situations where we feel stuck, whether it's financial troubles, health issues, or relational conflicts. Yet, the call is to wait patiently for the Lord, trusting that He is working behind the scenes for our good.
Waiting patiently is not a passive act but a posture of hope and expectation. It means living with the anticipation that God will move in His perfect timing. We often intervene in God's work, trying to fix things ourselves, which can lead to more chaos. Instead, we are encouraged to stand firm on God's promises, knowing that He hears our cries and is inclined to respond to our needs.
The benefits of waiting on the Lord are manifold. Firstly, God inclines to us and hears our cries, acknowledging our dependence on Him. Secondly, He lifts us out of our "hot messes" and sticky situations, setting our feet on solid ground. This transformation is not just about removing us from difficult circumstances but also about establishing us in His purpose and design for our lives. Lastly, God gives us a new song—a song of praise that reflects the joy and freedom found in Him. This new song becomes a testimony to others, drawing them to worship God as they witness His work in our lives.
As we wait, we are reminded of Isaiah 40:29-31, which assures us that God gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength, soaring on wings like eagles, running without growing weary, and walking without fainting. This is the promise for those who choose to trust in God's timing and His ways.
Key Takeaways:
- The Power of Patient Waiting: Waiting patiently for the Lord is an active stance of hope and expectation. It requires us to trust in God's timing and resist the urge to take matters into our own hands. By doing so, we allow God to work in ways that we cannot see, ultimately leading to our breakthrough. [34:02]
- God's Inclination and Hearing: When we cry out to God, acknowledging our inability to change our circumstances by our own strength, He inclines to us and hears our cries. This divine attention assures us that we are not alone and that God is actively involved in our lives. [49:39]
- Transformation from the Pit: God lifts us from our "hot messes" and sticky situations, setting our feet on solid ground. This transformation is not just about changing our circumstances but also about establishing us in His purpose and design for our lives. [57:04]
- A New Song of Praise: God gives us a new song, a song of praise that reflects the joy and freedom found in Him. This new song becomes a testimony to others, drawing them to worship God as they witness His work in our lives. [01:04:15]
- Strength Renewed in Waiting: Isaiah 40:29-31 reminds us that God gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength, soaring on wings like eagles, running without growing weary, and walking without fainting. This is the promise for those who choose to trust in God's timing and His ways. [01:10:42]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [32:23] - Introduction to the Word
- [34:02] - The Call to Wait Patiently
- [40:17] - Challenges in Waiting
- [49:39] - God Inclines and Hears
- [57:04] - Transformation from the Pit
- [01:02:42] - Establishing Our Steps
- [01:04:15] - A New Song of Praise
- [01:06:02] - The Joy of Praise
- [01:10:42] - Strength Renewed in Waiting
- [01:14:12] - Benefits of Waiting
- [01:16:03] - Casting Our Cares
- [01:17:09] - Prayer and Surrender
- [01:18:51] - Witnessing to Others
- [01:19:46] - Closing Encouragement
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Waiting Patiently for the Lord
Bible Reading:
- Psalm 40:1-3
- Isaiah 40:29-31
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Psalm 40:1-3, what actions does God take in response to those who wait patiently for Him?
2. In the sermon, what are some of the challenges mentioned that people face while waiting on the Lord? ([34:02])
3. How does the pastor describe the concept of "waiting patiently" in the sermon? ([34:02])
4. What does Isaiah 40:29-31 promise to those who wait on the Lord?
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean for God to "incline" to us and hear our cries, as described in Psalm 40:1? How does this reflect His character? ([49:39])
2. How does the sermon illustrate the transformation that occurs when God lifts us from our "hot messes" and sets our feet on solid ground? ([57:04])
3. In what ways does the new song of praise mentioned in Psalm 40:3 serve as a testimony to others, according to the sermon? ([01:04:15])
4. How does the promise of renewed strength in Isaiah 40:29-31 encourage believers to trust in God's timing and ways?
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt stuck in a difficult situation. How did you respond, and what might it look like to wait patiently for the Lord in similar situations in the future? ([34:02])
2. The sermon mentions the tendency to intervene in God's work. Are there areas in your life where you might be trying to take control instead of waiting on God? How can you surrender these to Him? ([34:02])
3. Consider the "new song" God has given you. How can you use your personal testimony to encourage others and draw them to worship God? ([01:04:15])
4. Isaiah 40:31 speaks of renewing strength and soaring on wings like eagles. What practical steps can you take to renew your spiritual strength and avoid burnout in your daily life?
5. The pastor mentioned the importance of having a spirit of expectation. How can you cultivate a hopeful and expectant attitude in your walk with God, even when circumstances are challenging? ([34:02])
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to wait on the Lord. What steps can you take this week to focus on God's promises and resist the urge to act prematurely? ([40:17])
7. How can you support others in your community who are struggling to wait patiently for the Lord? What role can you play in encouraging them to trust in God's timing? ([01:18:51])
Devotional
Day 1: The Active Stance of Hopeful Waiting
Waiting patiently for the Lord is not a passive act but an active stance of hope and expectation. It requires a deep trust in God's timing and a conscious decision to resist the urge to take matters into our own hands. By choosing to wait on the Lord, we allow Him to work in ways that we cannot see, ultimately leading to our breakthrough. This posture of waiting is about living with the anticipation that God will move in His perfect timing, even when life's circumstances seem overwhelming. It is a call to stand firm on God's promises, knowing that He hears our cries and is inclined to respond to our needs. [34:02]
Psalm 27:14 (ESV): "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"
Reflection: In what area of your life are you tempted to take control instead of waiting on God's timing? How can you actively choose to trust Him today?
Day 2: Divine Attention and Assurance
When we cry out to God, acknowledging our inability to change our circumstances by our own strength, He inclines to us and hears our cries. This divine attention assures us that we are not alone and that God is actively involved in our lives. It is a reminder that our dependence on Him is not in vain, and that He is working behind the scenes for our good. This assurance allows us to rest in the knowledge that God is attentive to our needs and is committed to responding to them in His perfect way. [49:39]
Psalm 34:17-18 (ESV): "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
Reflection: How can you remind yourself of God's attentive presence in your life when you feel overwhelmed by your circumstances?
Day 3: Transformation and Establishment
God lifts us from our "hot messes" and sticky situations, setting our feet on solid ground. This transformation is not just about changing our circumstances but also about establishing us in His purpose and design for our lives. It is a process of being lifted out of the pit and being placed on a firm foundation where we can thrive according to God's plan. This transformation is a testimony of God's power and faithfulness, and it serves as a reminder that He is able to bring us out of any situation and establish us in His will. [57:04]
Psalm 18:16-19 (ESV): "He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need God's transformative power to lift you out and establish you on solid ground?
Day 4: A New Song of Testimony
God gives us a new song, a song of praise that reflects the joy and freedom found in Him. This new song becomes a testimony to others, drawing them to worship God as they witness His work in our lives. It is a powerful expression of the transformation and renewal that God brings, and it serves as a beacon of hope and encouragement to those around us. This new song is not just for our benefit but is meant to inspire others to seek and worship God as they see His goodness and faithfulness in our lives. [01:04:15]
Psalm 96:1-3 (ESV): "Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!"
Reflection: What new song of praise can you sing today that reflects God's work in your life, and how can you share this testimony with others?
Day 5: Renewed Strength in Trust
Isaiah 40:29-31 reminds us that God gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength, soaring on wings like eagles, running without growing weary, and walking without fainting. This is the promise for those who choose to trust in God's timing and His ways. It is an assurance that as we wait on the Lord, He will renew our strength and empower us to persevere through life's challenges. This renewed strength is a testament to God's faithfulness and His ability to sustain us in every season of life. [01:10:42]
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (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. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Reflection: In what ways can you rely on God's strength today, especially in areas where you feel weak or weary? How can you actively wait on Him to renew your strength?
Quotes
"I waited patiently for the Lord and he inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction out of the miry clay and he set my feet up on a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth a song of praise to our God many will see and fear and will trust in the Lord." [00:35:51]
"To wait patiently for the Lord means to be in a position of hope and expectation. To wait for the Lord means that I need to be in a position of hope and expectation that means I walk every day walking around with a spirit of expectation knowing that God can move at any time I don't know when he's going to move I don't know how he's going to do it I don't know where it's going to come from but I know I walk around with a hope like the same hope that you had when you gave your life to Christ." [00:35:51]
"Some of y 'all, y 'all have actually, what you did was you said in your prayers, I'm going to turn this over to God, but really what you did, you turned it over to yourself because you put your mouth on it. You interrupted the things of God when God is actually telling us that the Bible says after you've done all you can do, the Bible says then to stand and then stand on the word of God." [00:34:41]
"God will bring you up to set you up. Saints of God, you better hear this today. God will bring you up to set you up. Some of y 'all right now, he said he brought me out of a horrible pit. I love this word, y 'all. I don't know where it came from, but I love this. I'm going to say it, y 'all. God brought some of y 'all out of a hot mess. I just like to say hot mess. It just sounds good." [00:53:41]
"God's the only one who can bring you out of that thing. I don't care how you try to shake it. I don't care if you got enough money. All that stuff don't mean nothing. The only person that's going to bring you out of that horrible pit that you're in right now is God, amen. You're in a hot mess right now, amen. Amen, church. Some of y 'all been in a hot mess before, amen, and he said that he brought them out of the horrible pit, and he used another word. He said he brought them out of the miry clay." [00:54:56]
"God said, I'm not going to let that stuff still stick to you no more, I'm going to bring you out of that stuff, amen? And then he says, he's going to, you brought you out of the hot mess, he brought you out of the sticky miry clay, that sticky situation that you were in, he took those labels off of you, and then he says, he set my feet on a rock, he set my foot on a rock, he set my foot on a rock. Glory to God." [00:58:32]
"Because you waited on God, God said, I'm going to establish your steps. He said, what I'm going to do, I'm going to make your footsteps firm now. That means you ain't going to go to the left or the right no more. Now, what you're going to do, you're going to follow the word of God. Whatever God says do, that's what I'm going to do. Well, you want to go to the left? You want to go do this? No, I ain't doing that." [01:00:12]
"God will give you a new song to sing. Everybody say a new song. Everybody say a new song. And we ain't talking about Glorilla in the house either, y 'all. We talking about a new praise song. Amen? Amen? Praise God, y 'all. Amen? Amen. Amen, y 'all. Come on. He said in verse three, he put a new song in my mouth. He put a song of praise." [01:02:53]
"Some of y 'all, you done lost your song. That's your problem. You done lost your song. God gave you a song, but you ain't singing the song God gave you. You lost your song. I remember praise and worship used to be exciting for some of you all. Now praise and worship not exciting to you. The song's now, Lord, you know, have you ever thought about, I always tell people this, sometimes they want to know, when am I under attack?" [01:03:39]
"The Bible says that what he's going to do for those who patiently wait on the Lord, he said what he's going to do, he's going to put a new song in their heart. A new song of praise. So that means that you're going to get excited about the praise because of what God brought you out of. He brought you out of the pit. He brought you out to marry clay. He took all the labels off of you. Now you're free indeed." [01:05:21]
"Isaiah 40, 29 through 31. Everybody turn to that scripture, please. This wraps the whole message up. Some of y 'all have heard this scripture before, and if you don't have it in your Bible, watch up on our information screens. It's up here, but I want you to get it, because this ties the whole message together for those right now who are out there in a situation that I know some of y 'all, you're about to give up." [01:10:42]
"It says, but those who wait on the Lord, but those who wait on the Lord, they shall renew their strength. Some of y 'all say, Pastor, I don't know how I'm going to do this. I'm tired, man. I want to give up. I want to stop. I want to give in. The Bible says, but those who wait on the Lord. They shall renew their strength. It tells us that they shall mount up with wings like eagles." [01:12:02]
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