Trusting God's Perfect Timing in Seasons of Waiting

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting in God's Perfect Timing

Description: Understanding that God's answers come "in due season" or "at the proper time" helps us to trust His timing. Our impatience can lead to discouragement, but recognizing that God’s timing is always perfect can bring peace and hope. When we feel like nothing is happening, it’s crucial to remember that God is never late. He is always working behind the scenes, orchestrating events in ways we cannot see or understand. This trust in His timing can transform our waiting periods into times of growth and deepened faith. [09:52]

Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV): "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons."

Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you are waiting for God to move. How can you remind yourself today that God's timing is perfect and that He is working even when you can't see it?

Day 2: Embracing the Purpose of Waiting

Description: Waiting periods are not wasted time. God uses these seasons to prepare and test us, building our character and faith. Just as the Israelites wandered for 40 years to be prepared for the Promised Land, our waiting seasons are designed to refine us. These times can be challenging, but they are also opportunities for growth. Embracing the purpose of waiting helps us to see these periods as valuable and transformative rather than frustrating and pointless. [18:24]

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: Reflect on a time when you had to wait for something significant. How did that period of waiting shape your character or faith? How can you apply that lesson to your current situation?

Day 3: Overcoming Fear and Discouragement

Description: Fear often comes from listening to the wrong voices, and discouragement can lead to impatience. We must focus on God's presence and promises, remembering past testimonies of His faithfulness to overcome these challenges. When we allow fear and discouragement to take root, they can derail us from God's path. Instead, by focusing on God's truth and recalling His past faithfulness, we can find the strength to persevere. [22:57]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: Identify a fear or discouragement you are currently facing. What past testimony of God's faithfulness can you recall to help you overcome this challenge today?

Day 4: Persistence in Prayer

Description: Jesus taught us to always pray and not give up. Persistence in prayer is crucial, especially when it feels like it's been a while since we've seen God move. Staying with it to the end ensures that we will see God's promises fulfilled. Persistent prayer is not about wearing God down but about aligning our hearts with His will and demonstrating our trust in His faithfulness. [42:51]

Luke 18:1 (ESV): "And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart."

Reflection: Think about a prayer request you have been bringing to God for a long time. How can you renew your commitment to persist in prayer for this request today?

Day 5: The Importance of Not Quitting

Description: The temptation to quit can be strong when it feels like nothing is happening. However, quitting can derail us from God's promises. Instead, we should remain persistent, trusting that God is working even when we can't see it. Quitting often stems from a lack of faith in God's plan and timing. By choosing to persevere, we demonstrate our trust in His sovereignty and our commitment to His purposes. [39:45]

Hebrews 10:36 (ESV): "For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel tempted to give up. What steps can you take today to renew your commitment and trust in God's plan for this area?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into Galatians 6:9, a verse that encourages us not to grow weary in doing good, for in due season, we will reap if we do not give up. We explored this verse through various translations to emphasize the importance of patience and perseverance in our spiritual journey. Life often feels routine, and time flies by quickly, but not all of us are in the same place. Some have had a great year, while others feel stuck or forgotten by God. The key question we addressed is: What do you do when it feels like it's been a while since you’ve seen God move in your life?

We acknowledged that life involves seasons of waiting, and these periods are not without purpose. God uses these times to prepare and test us, building our character and faith. We looked at biblical examples like Abraham, Noah, Joseph, and David, who all experienced long periods of waiting before God's promises were fulfilled. These stories remind us that God's timing is perfect, even when it feels delayed to us.

We also discussed the importance of not giving in to fear, discouragement, or the temptation to quit. Fear often stems from listening to the wrong voices, and discouragement can lead to impatience and poor decisions. Instead, we should focus on God's presence, promises, and our past testimonies of His faithfulness. We must remember that God is always with us, even in the waiting rooms of life.

Finally, we emphasized the importance of persistence in prayer and faith. Jesus taught us to always pray and not give up, and we are encouraged to stay with it to the end. The promise of God will come true in its time, and we must be patient and trust in His perfect timing.

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Key Takeaways

1. God's Timing is Perfect: Understanding that God's answers come "in due season" or "at the proper time" helps us to trust His timing. Our impatience can lead to discouragement, but recognizing that God’s timing is always perfect can bring peace and hope. [09:52]
2. Seasons of Waiting Have Purpose: Waiting periods are not wasted time. God uses these seasons to prepare and test us, building our character and faith. Just as the Israelites wandered for 40 years to be prepared for the Promised Land, our waiting seasons are designed to refine us. [18:24]
3. Overcoming Fear and Discouragement: Fear often comes from listening to the wrong voices, and discouragement can lead to impatience. We must focus on God's presence and promises, remembering past testimonies of His faithfulness to overcome these challenges. [22:57]
4. Persistence in Prayer: Jesus taught us to always pray and not give up. Persistence in prayer is crucial, especially when it feels like it's been a while since we've seen God move. Staying with it to the end ensures that we will see God's promises fulfilled. [42:51]
5. Don't Quit: The temptation to quit can be strong when it feels like nothing is happening. However, quitting can derail us from God's promises. Instead, we should remain persistent, trusting that God is working even when we can't see it. [39:45]
### [39:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:21] - Introduction to Galatians 6:9
[02:13] - The Routine of Life
[03:53] - Different Seasons for Different People
[04:43] - Feeling Forgotten by God
[05:25] - The Reality of Waiting
[06:03] - The Challenge of Silent Heavens
[07:07] - Patience in Following Jesus
[08:00] - Wilderness Living
[08:57] - Different Translations of Galatians 6:9
[09:52] - The Proper Time
[10:48] - The Long Wait
[11:48] - The Question of God's Timing
[13:02] - Biblical Examples of Waiting
[14:29] - The Israelites' Journey
[15:38] - The Detour for Preparation
[16:55] - The Purpose of Delays
[18:24] - Testing and Character Building
[19:48] - The Humbling Process
[21:28] - The Mistake of Fear
[22:57] - Listening to the Right Voices
[24:22] - The Danger of Fearful Voices
[25:53] - Focus on God's Presence and Promises
[27:24] - The Mistake of Discouragement
[28:54] - The Israelites' Complaints
[30:23] - The Problem with Complaining
[31:51] - The Frustration of Waiting
[33:34] - Abraham's Impatience
[35:10] - The Consequences of Ishmael
[36:40] - Resting in the Lord
[37:55] - Jesus' Peace in the Storm
[39:45] - The Importance of Not Quitting
[41:22] - The Israelites' Regret
[42:51] - Persistence in Prayer
[44:27] - The Promise of God's Timing

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Galatians 6:9 encourage believers to do, and what is the promised outcome if they follow this encouragement? [01:21]
According to Deuteronomy 8:2, what were the two main purposes of the Israelites' 40 years in the wilderness? [18:24]
In Isaiah 41:10, what are the two commands given to the reader, and what are the promises that accompany these commands? [25:53]

Interpretation Questions

How does understanding God's perfect timing, as mentioned in Galatians 6:9, help believers deal with impatience and discouragement in their spiritual journey? [09:52]
What lessons can be learned from the Israelites' experience in the wilderness about the purpose of waiting periods in our lives? [18:24]
How can focusing on God's presence and promises, as suggested in Isaiah 41:10, help believers overcome fear and discouragement? [25:53]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt like you were in a "waiting room" of life. How did you handle it, and what could you have done differently to trust in God's timing? [05:25]
What are some practical ways you can remind yourself of God's past faithfulness when you feel forgotten or stuck? [25:53]
Identify a specific fear or discouragement you are currently facing. How can you apply the promises of Isaiah 41:10 to this situation? [27:24]
How can you cultivate persistence in prayer, especially when it feels like it's been a while since you've seen God move in your life? [42:51]
Think of a situation where you were tempted to quit because it seemed like nothing was happening. What steps can you take to remain persistent and trust in God's perfect timing? [39:45]
How can you ensure that you are listening to the right voices and not those that instill fear and discouragement in your life? [22:57]
What specific actions can you take this week to focus on God's presence and promises, especially during challenging times? [25:53]

Sermon Clips

1. "See, growing as a follower of Jesus always involves patience. Not sometimes, not often, not usually. I'll just say it always involves. It involves patience, allowing the Lord to mold us and shape us, to shape our lives without us getting overly frustrated or discouraged. Truly loving, hear me folks, truly loving and trusting and serving Jesus means understanding and accepting that He does not work on our timeline or by our calendar. He just doesn't do it. Amen. Living and loving Jesus is a long-term, big picture. I've got to trust you while you are at work. I've got to trust you while you are at work. It's a work in my life kind of living. Amen." [07:07] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Dark nights are just as important as sunny days when it comes to God's rotation in my world. Amen? See, although it's not nearly as exciting when you or somebody that you love is having a baby, the waiting room is just as much a part of the process as the delivery room. Amen? But see, nobody wants the waiting room, do we? Just show me the baby, Lord. Nobody wants nine months of labor pains and nausea. Just show us the baby, Lord. Amen?" [08:00] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Your blessing comes, your answer comes, your next step, your next level. King James and New King James, in due season. It comes, NIV, at the proper time. It comes, New Living Translation, at just the right time. Your answer comes, Contemporary English Version, when the time is right. And your answer comes, Living Bible, after a while. Be the one that resonates most with my spirit. It feels like it comes after a while. Sometimes after a long while. Sometimes after a frustrating while. Sometimes after a discouraging while. Any real people in this house today?" [10:48] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "See, a question I think that we all probably want to ask the Lord when we get to heaven is, why did you wait so long to answer my prayers when it was within your power to do so? Right? And if He hears us immediately and has the power to do it, why the delay? Why the pause? Amen? Well, it's partially because it's part of our spiritual walk and His plan for our lives. I'm going to unpack that a little bit more here as we go. There is always, folks, a waiting period. Always. There's always a waiting room. Dreams are never fulfilled immediately." [11:48] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Don't be afraid, not because of positive thinking, not because of a motivational speech, not because a sermon made you feel good. Because God is with you. You never face a situation in your life that he is not with you. So number one, when it's been a while, don't be afraid. Number two, when it's been a while, don't be discouraged. Don't be discouraged. Don't get overly worried. My original notes said worried, then I said overly worried. Because we all get worried, right? Don't get uptight. We do that when it's been a while, when it's taken too long. We worry, we get uptight, we get stressed out." [27:24] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Folks, the antidote to fear is faith. And you know where you get your faith? From two places, focus on God's presence and focus on God's promises. Come on, focus on, because I'm telling you right now, for me, when I get in the presence of God long enough, and I stay still long enough, and I listen long enough, the peace of God comes over my life and calms my fears. Amen. When you're afraid to go after the dream that God has given you, you need to focus on God's presence, focus on his promises. And you know what else? Focus on your own testimonies in your life." [25:53] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for him to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper. See, we keep looking around us, but look at them. Look at their life. Look what's happening for them. Why isn't it working out for me? Don't worry about it. Don't worry about it. Don't worry about it. Don't worry about it, the Lord says. Or fret about their wicked schemes. Be still in the presence of the Lord. The new King James said it this way. Rest in the Lord. Can I tell you, it took me a long time to learn this, but sometimes resting is the biggest step of faith you can take." [36:40] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "What do you do when it's been a while? Number one, don't be afraid. Number two, don't be discouraged. And number three, don't quit. Don't quit. Look at your neighbor right now and say, please don't quit. Amen. Hallelujah. Don't quit. Galatians 6 and 9, let us not be weary in well-doing for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. If we do not give up. If we do not give up. If we do not give up. If we do not give up. You came to church today so I could tell you, don't give up. Hallelujah. Don't give up. Well, pastor, it's been a while. That's all the more reason not to give up. Now, amen. You're that much closer." [37:55] (70 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "If only we had died in the land of Egypt. I can almost see the tears coming down their cheeks. I can hear their voices quivering. If only we had died in the has the Lord brought us to this land to fall by the sword? So that our wives and our children should become victims. Man, if I was Moses and Aaron, I'd be so ticked off right then. Like, do you not remember 400 years of slavery? Do you not remember all those plagues and how he brought you out with a huge flex on the nation of Egypt? Do you not remember how when you were thirsty, I hit a rock and water started gushing out?" [41:22] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "If only I'd done something different. If only I'd done this or that. If only I would have listened to them. And then we're not careful. You know what the next thing's going to be? Let's just go back to Egypt. See, when it's been a while, when it's been a long while and it feels like nothing's happened, you know what we do? We idealize the past. Let's just go back to Egypt. It really wasn't that bad. Yeah, I know we were in slavery. Yeah, I know that they made us do this and that. But it really wasn't that bad. Let me just tell you right now. Here, folks, the good old days are not as good as you think they were." [42:51] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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