Trusting God's Perfect Timing in Our Lives
Summary
In today's sermon, I explored the challenging concept of waiting on God's timing, a subject that often tests our faith and patience. I began by acknowledging the universal struggle with waiting and the frustration that accompanies it, especially when there seems to be no guarantee that our desires or prayers will be fulfilled. I emphasized that God's promises are not bound by our earthly calendars but operate on His divine schedule.
I used the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead to illustrate the perplexity of God's timing. Despite the urgency of Lazarus's illness, Jesus chose to wait two additional days before acting, demonstrating that His timing, though often incomprehensible to us, serves a greater purpose. Similarly, I shared a personal anecdote about the overwhelming joy I experienced when my daughter surprised me with a visit, underscoring that the fulfillment that comes after a period of waiting can be profoundly rewarding.
I also delved into the story of Adam and Eve, highlighting that Eve was tempted to eat the forbidden fruit when she was convinced that God was withholding something good from her. This narrative serves as a powerful reminder that the enemy often lies to us about God's intentions, suggesting that He does not have our best interests at heart.
Throughout the sermon, I shared personal reflections and experiences, including the challenges I faced while waiting to build our church. I recounted the moments of doubt and the eventual realization that God's timing was perfect, as evidenced by the favorable circumstances that arose when we finally proceeded with construction.
I concluded by drawing from the story of Joseph, who endured years of hardship before his dreams were realized. His father Jacob, who had pondered Joseph's dreams, was stunned to learn that Joseph was alive and ruling in Egypt. This revelation was a testament to the power of God's timing and the fulfillment of His promises.
Key Takeaways:
- Waiting on God's timing is an exercise in trust and surrender. When we wait, we are not idle; God is actively working behind the scenes, preparing us and our circumstances for what is to come. Our impatience can lead us to act prematurely, potentially stepping out of God's plan for our lives. [27:58]
- Patience is a fruit of the Spirit that we must cultivate in our lives. It does not come naturally but is a gift from God. As we cooperate with the Holy Spirit, patience can save us from the regrets that accompany hasty decisions made without seeking God's direction. [31:15]
- God's "no" is not a rejection but a protection. When we feel a check in our spirit, it is often the Holy Spirit guiding us away from decisions that may harm us. Learning to heed these divine warnings can prevent unnecessary pain and trouble. [38:46]
- Our impatience can reveal the idols of our heart. When we are willing to compromise our standards or God's commands to achieve our desires quickly, it indicates that we value the gift more than the Giver. True fulfillment comes from aligning our desires with God's will, not forcing our own timeline. [28:41]
- The reward of waiting is not just the fulfillment of our desires but a deeper relationship with God. As we wait, we learn to depend on Him, grow in faith, and experience His faithfulness. The story of Joseph reminds us that God can turn what was meant for evil into good, and His timing is always perfect. [42:42]
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 27:14 - "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"
3. John 11:38-44 - The story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Isaiah 40:31, what are the benefits of waiting on the Lord?
2. In Psalm 27:14, what two actions are we encouraged to take while waiting for the Lord?
3. How did Jesus demonstrate the importance of God's timing in the story of Lazarus? ([17:19])
4. What was the reaction of Jacob when he learned that Joseph was alive and ruling in Egypt? ([43:55])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why might waiting on God's timing be challenging for believers, according to the sermon? ([15:14])
2. How does the story of Lazarus illustrate the greater purpose behind God's timing? ([18:03])
3. What does the story of Adam and Eve teach us about the dangers of impatience and mistrust in God's intentions? ([21:54])
4. How can the personal anecdote about the pastor's daughter surprising him with a visit help us understand the joy that comes after a period of waiting? ([45:10])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to wait on God's timing. How did that experience shape your faith and trust in Him? ([15:14])
2. What are some practical ways you can cultivate patience in your daily life, especially in situations where you feel impatient? ([31:15])
3. Have you ever felt that God was withholding something good from you? How did you handle that situation, and what did you learn from it? ([21:54])
4. Think about a decision you are currently facing. How can you seek God's direction and wait for His timing rather than acting prematurely? ([38:46])
5. Identify an area in your life where impatience has led to regret. What steps can you take to avoid making hasty decisions in the future? ([31:15])
6. How can you remind yourself that God's "no" is often a form of protection? Share a personal experience where you realized this truth. ([38:46])
7. In what ways can you deepen your relationship with God during a season of waiting? How can you use this time to grow in faith and dependence on Him? ([42:42])
Devotional
Day 1: Trust in Divine Preparation
Waiting on God's timing is not a passive state but an active trust in His divine preparation. It is a period where faith is exercised, and one's character is often refined. Waiting can be a transformative experience, where the anticipation of God's promises cultivates a deeper reliance on Him. It is during this time that God is often at work in unseen ways, aligning circumstances and preparing hearts for what is to come. This period of waiting is not wasted time; rather, it is a sacred space where trust in God's perfect plan is solidified. The challenge lies in embracing the uncertainty and maintaining faith that God is orchestrating events for the ultimate good, even when the path forward is unclear. [27:58]
Psalm 130:5-6 (ESV)
"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."
Reflection: How can you actively trust in God's timing today, even when the outcome is uncertain?
Day 2: Cultivating Patience as a Spiritual Gift
Patience is a virtue that is not innate but must be cultivated as a spiritual gift. It is a fruit of the Spirit that grows within us as we learn to walk in step with the Holy Spirit. This divine patience is a safeguard against the impulsive decisions that can lead to regret. It is a gift that allows one to endure the trials of life with a steadfast heart, trusting that God's timing is perfect. As believers develop patience, they find themselves more attuned to God's voice and less likely to rush ahead of His plans. The cultivation of patience is an integral part of spiritual maturity, saving individuals from the pitfalls of haste and enabling them to wait for God's best with a peaceful and expectant heart. [31:15]
Colossians 1:11-12 (ESV)
"May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to cultivate patience, and how can you practice it this week?
Day 3: Discerning God's Protective "No"
Understanding that God's "no" is not a rejection but a protection can be a profound realization. It is often in the moments of denial that God is actively safeguarding His children from unseen dangers or preparing a better path. The Holy Spirit provides checks in our spirit to guide us away from potentially harmful decisions. Learning to recognize and heed these divine warnings is a crucial aspect of spiritual discernment. It requires humility and trust to accept that God's ways are higher than our own and that His "no" is often a merciful act of love, designed to shield us from harm and guide us toward His best for our lives. [38:46]
2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (ESV)
"Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 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: Can you recall a time when God's "no" was a protection in your life, and how did it ultimately benefit you?
Day 4: Identifying the Idols of Impatience
Impatience can often reveal the idols of the heart, those things that are held in higher esteem than God Himself. When desires become demands, and one is willing to compromise principles to achieve them, it indicates a misalignment of priorities. True fulfillment is found not in the hurried attainment of desires but in aligning one's will with God's. It is a call to examine the heart and to prioritize the Giver over the gifts. This reflection can lead to a reorientation of one's life, where God's commands and standards are upheld above all else, and patience becomes a testament to the value placed on the relationship with God. [28:41]
1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV)
"And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'"
Reflection: What desires might be functioning as idols in your life, and how can you realign your priorities to value God above all?
Day 5: The Reward of Relational Depth Through Waiting
The reward of waiting on God extends beyond the fulfillment of desires; it includes a deepened relationship with the Creator. As believers wait on God, they learn to depend on Him more fully, grow in their faith, and experience His faithfulness firsthand. The story of Joseph is a powerful example of how God can turn adversity into triumph and how His timing is always perfect. The waiting period is an opportunity for spiritual growth and an increased understanding of God's character. It is in the waiting that one's trust in God is fortified, and the foundation of a robust and enduring faith is laid. [42:42]
Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV)
"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."
Reflection: How has waiting on God deepened your relationship with Him, and what has it taught you about His character?
Quotes
"God is working in your life behind the scenes while you are waiting on him. His timing is always perfect, the scripture talks about that, but it's hard for us to grasp the waiting period. Why? Because our knowledge of time is limited. It's very limited." [16:36]
"When Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was... Why did the Lord do that? Our limited knowledge of God's timing makes it difficult for us to wait on God's promise. The raising of the dead was a greater miracle than just healing someone of a mild cold." [17:19]
"Patience is triggered when you have a goal and you realize it's going to cost you more than you thought to reach it. In our walk of faith in life, we grow impatient with God because it's like God's time is not on our time clock. God is late, or he's ignoring me, or he has forgotten me somehow." [15:14]
"God's 'no' is not a rejection but a protection. When God says no, he is not rejecting us but he is protecting us. There's a benefit from God's loving protection and that's why we really do need to consult him about everything. Every little thing should we sell the house or not, should we wait in this moment." [38:46]
"Waiting on God's timing, it's worth it. Just like Adam and Eve, if you do not believe God generally cares for you, you're going to go ahead and find ways to accomplish your desires in your own strength. What happens is we move out of his plan for our life." [27:58]
"Patience doesn't come naturally but is a gift from God bestowed on us as the fruit of his Spirit. Why is it essential that we cooperate with the Holy Spirit as he develops patience in us? This is a necessary quality for all of us and it can save us from the inevitable regrets that come with when we refuse to wait for his direction." [31:15]
"Joseph's brothers were envious and jealous of him, but his father Jacob kept the words of Joseph in mind, wondering about their meaning. Jacob never forgot the dreams that Joseph related even though they were really strange and they made no sense." [40:41]
"God has in store for you too good to be true situations if you're willing to trust me. This is the reward of patience, this is the reward of anticipation, this is the reward of waiting for God's perfect timing." [47:12]
"When God says go, you can go, and no matter who tries to stop that, hold you back, in that moment when God says yes, go, you can move forward. And 6 months later we started to build this building and we did it during Covid... God knew that. I did not know that. I wanted to all along." [26:23]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?