Trusting God's Timing: A Journey of Faith
Summary
Summary:
Tonight, we delved into the journey of faith, exploring the theme "Are We There Yet?" and the challenges we face while waiting for God's promises to manifest in our lives. We began by revisiting the four pillars of our church's vision: knowing God, finding freedom, discovering purpose, and making a difference. These are the steps that guide us to the future God has for us. However, many of us find ourselves discouraged because the fulfillment of our dreams seems delayed. We are reminded of the Apostle Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 5:7, "For we walk by faith, not by sight." This is a call to live confidently in God's promises, regardless of what our senses tell us.
We explored several biblical stories that illustrate how God's ways and timing are often beyond our understanding. From Jacob's despair over losing his sons to Samuel's confusion when none of Jesse's sons seemed to be the chosen king, we see that God's plans are often hidden from our immediate view. Yet, in each story, God was working behind the scenes, orchestrating events for a greater purpose. The key is to trust that God has already done the work, even if we can't see it yet.
We are encouraged to believe in God's promises, thank Him for what He has already done, and not focus on our current circumstances. By shifting our focus from what we see to what God has said, we align ourselves with His higher ways. This requires a conscious effort to ignore the negative and keep our minds on God's truth. As we continue to walk by faith, we are assured that God will bring about the fulfillment of His promises in His perfect timing.
Key Takeaways:
1. Walk by Faith, Not by Sight: As believers, we are called to live by faith, trusting in God's promises rather than what our senses perceive. This means aligning our thoughts, words, and actions with what God has said, even when circumstances seem contrary. Faith is needed when we cannot see the outcome, and it is through faith that we experience God's promises. [03:05]
2. God's Ways Are Higher: God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours, and He often works in ways that are beyond our understanding. Like a parent guiding a child, God sees the bigger picture and orchestrates events for our good, even when we can't see it. Trusting in His higher ways requires humility and patience. [07:00]
3. The Power of "Yet": The word "yet" is a faith word, signifying that while we may not see God's promises fulfilled now, they are on the way. This perspective encourages us to remain hopeful and expectant, knowing that God's timing is perfect and His promises are sure. [09:19]
4. Consider Not the Circumstances: To maintain faith, we must choose not to focus on our current circumstances but rather on God's promises. This involves a deliberate effort to ignore the negative and keep our minds on what God has said, trusting that His truth will prevail. [51:36]
5. Go Forward in Faith: Even when we can't see the outcome, we must continue to act in faith, preparing for what God has promised. This means taking practical steps towards our goals, trusting that God is working behind the scenes to bring about His plans. [01:02:47]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [00:49] - Opening Prayer and Introduction
- [02:07] - Series Recap: Are We There Yet?
- [03:05] - Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
- [05:17] - Discouragement and God's Timing
- [07:00] - God's Higher Ways
- [09:19] - The Power of "Yet"
- [11:38] - Jacob's Story: God's Hidden Work
- [14:53] - Samuel and David: God's Unexpected Plans
- [17:36] - Elisha's Vision: Seeing God's Protection
- [20:35] - Digging Ditches: Preparing for God's Provision
- [23:20] - Abraham's Faith: Calling Things as They Are
- [27:59] - Joshua and Jericho: Trusting God's Strategy
- [31:38] - Four Steps to Seeing God's Promises
- [42:53] - First Wednesday: A Time for Believers
- [57:00] - Encouragement: You're About to See It
- [01:02:47] - Going Forward in Faith
- [01:04:01] - Closing Encouragement and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Are We There Yet?"
Bible Reading:
1. 2 Corinthians 5:7 - "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
2. Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
3. Genesis 42:36 - "Jacob exclaimed, 'You are robbing me of my children. Joseph is gone. Simeon is gone. And now you want to take Benjamin, too. Everything is going against me!'"
Observation Questions:
1. What does 2 Corinthians 5:7 mean when it says to "walk by faith, not by sight"? How does this apply to the challenges we face while waiting for God's promises? [03:05]
2. In the sermon, how does the story of Jacob illustrate the idea that God's plans are often hidden from our immediate view? [11:38]
3. How does the sermon explain the significance of the word "yet" in the context of faith? [09:19]
4. What examples from the sermon show that God's ways are higher than ours, and how does this affect our understanding of His timing? [07:00]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the concept of walking by faith rather than sight challenge a believer's daily decision-making process? [04:11]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that believers can align their thoughts and actions with God's promises, even when circumstances seem contrary? [05:17]
3. How does the story of Jacob and his sons in Genesis 42 reflect the struggle between human perception and divine orchestration? [11:38]
4. What does the sermon imply about the role of patience and humility in trusting God's higher ways? [07:00]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt discouraged waiting for a promise or dream to be fulfilled. How can you apply the principle of walking by faith in that situation? [03:05]
2. Identify an area in your life where you need to trust in God's higher ways. What practical steps can you take to align your thoughts and actions with His promises? [07:00]
3. The sermon emphasizes the power of the word "yet" as a faith word. How can adopting this perspective change your outlook on a current challenge? [09:19]
4. Consider a situation where you are focusing on negative circumstances. How can you shift your focus to God's promises and truth? [51:36]
5. What is one practical step you can take this week to go forward in faith, preparing for what God has promised, even if you can't see the outcome yet? [01:02:47]
6. How can you incorporate gratitude into your daily routine as a way to thank God for what He has already done, even if you haven't seen it yet? [43:28]
7. Think of a specific promise from God that you are waiting to see fulfilled. How can you actively prepare for its fulfillment in your life? [01:02:47]
Devotional
Day 1: Walking by Faith in Unseen Promises
In our journey of faith, we are called to walk by faith and not by sight. This means trusting in God's promises even when our current circumstances seem to contradict them. Faith requires us to align our thoughts, words, and actions with what God has said, rather than what we perceive with our senses. It is through faith that we experience the fulfillment of God's promises, as we learn to rely on His word and not our immediate reality. This journey is not always easy, but it is essential for spiritual growth and maturity. [03:05]
"For we live by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one promise from God that you find difficult to believe right now? How can you begin to trust Him more in this area today?
Day 2: Trusting in God's Higher Ways
God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours, often beyond our understanding. Like a parent guiding a child, God sees the bigger picture and orchestrates events for our good, even when we can't see it. Trusting in His higher ways requires humility and patience, acknowledging that His plans are perfect and His timing is impeccable. We are reminded that God's perspective is eternal, and He is always working behind the scenes for our benefit, even when we don't understand His methods. [07:00]
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord." (Isaiah 55:8, ESV)
Reflection: Can you recall a time when God's plan for you was different from your own? How did you see His wisdom in hindsight?
Day 3: Embracing the Power of "Yet"
The word "yet" is a powerful expression of faith, signifying that while we may not see God's promises fulfilled now, they are on the way. This perspective encourages us to remain hopeful and expectant, knowing that God's timing is perfect and His promises are sure. Embracing the power of "yet" helps us to maintain a positive outlook, even in the face of delays and disappointments. It reminds us that God's work is ongoing, and His promises are unfolding in His perfect timing. [09:19]
"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." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are waiting for God's promise to be fulfilled? How can you embrace the "yet" in this situation?
Day 4: Focusing Beyond Circumstances
To maintain faith, we must choose not to focus on our current circumstances but rather on God's promises. This involves a deliberate effort to ignore the negative and keep our minds on what God has said, trusting that His truth will prevail. By shifting our focus from what we see to what God has promised, we align ourselves with His higher ways and open ourselves to His blessings. This requires a conscious decision to trust in God's word and not be swayed by temporary setbacks. [51:36]
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18, ESV)
Reflection: What negative circumstance are you currently facing that you need to shift your focus away from? How can you remind yourself of God's promises in this situation?
Day 5: Moving Forward in Faith
Even when we can't see the outcome, we must continue to act in faith, preparing for what God has promised. This means taking practical steps towards our goals, trusting that God is working behind the scenes to bring about His plans. Moving forward in faith requires courage and determination, as we step out in obedience to God's word. It is through these actions that we demonstrate our trust in God's promises and position ourselves to receive His blessings. [01:02:47]
"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to move forward in faith towards a promise God has given you? How can you commit this step to the Lord?
Quotes
1) "When you're doing those things, you'll find yourself there. You'll find yourself experiencing the future that God has for you. But there's another aspect of this that I want to talk about tonight, because there are many of us who are believing God for what we asked for, for what we dreamed of, for what God promised us. And we're fighting discouragement because it's taken forever. Anybody can relate to that. I mean, this has been going on for a while, and we're like, God, you know, I'm not getting any younger here. God, I'm tired of dealing with this. I'm tired of dealing with them. I'm tired of waiting for this, you know? God, I want to get married. God, I want to have kids. God, I just want to get away from this job. I mean, whatever it is, we're just discouraged because. Because it's taken so long and because it looks like it's never going to happen." [02:07] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "We don't live by what we see. We think, we believe, we speak, we act based on what God said. Can I say it another way? I know I'm reminding you of this, but that's really what the Holy Spirit wants to do. It kind of reminds you of how we operate. If you're discouraged, you've actually kind of stepped out of God's way of doing things. You know, there's a little bug in the system. No, faith does not equal sight. The minute you see it, faith ends. I don't need faith when I see it. I need faith when I can't see it. So, as believers, we need to remind ourselves of how we are supposed to operate. No matter how long it's been since God promised us this, no longer how long it's been since I asked God for this. No matter how it looks, I operate by faith, not by sight. What God said determines my thoughts, my words, my attitude, my actions." [05:17] (89 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "We not only need to remind ourselves of how we should be operating as believers, but we need to remind ourselves of how God operates. And God does things in a way that's different than what we expect, in a way that's different than the way the world normally operates. What do you mean? Well, let's go to Genesis 42. If Habba gave a title to this message tonight, just on his own, it would be, you just can't see it yet. Somebody say yet? You just can't see it. That's all. You can't see it yet. Oh, somebody say yet again. I think you need to understand that word. Yet is a faith word. I'm going to say it one more time. You just can't see it yet. What does that mean? That you going to see it. You just can't see it yet." [08:14] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "So while he couldn't see it, what he didn't know was that God was working things out for his good. He just couldn't see it yet. But he did eventually see it. There's another one in one. Samuel 16. This one's an easy one. Saul, of course, was a wicked king by this time. God told Samuel to, I want you to anoint another king to take Saul's place. He says, I have already provided a king for you among Jesse's sons. So they have to kind of find a way to get there. And so that Saul is not suspicious, he finally gets to Jesse's sons. And in verse ten, it says, in the same way, all seven of Jesse's sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, the Lord has not chosen any of these. Now, if you're Samuel, are you not a little confused?" [13:52] (61 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "Just because you can't see it doesn't mean God hasn't done it. Second kings, 316 says, and he said, thus says the Lord, make this valley full of ditches. Now, I'll give you an idea of the story here. Three kings have come together to fight against Moab. They go on a seven day journey through the wilderness on the way to battle. And when they're on that seven day journey, they find no water. Imagine seven days of no water for the soldiers, for the animals they're in trouble. They go to the man of God. The man of God says this. He says, make this valley full of ditches. But thus says, lord, you will not see wind, nor shall you see rain. Yet that valley will be filled with water so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink. And this is a simple matter. In the sight of the Lord, he will also deliver the Moabites into your hand." [20:35] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "You got to believe it. God moves through faith, period. It's not through crying, not through depression, not through even bombarding the gates of hell in prayer. There's a place for that. But when it comes to things like this, there has to be faith. Hebrews eleven six. He that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him. You must get yourself back a place of faith. And, you know, you can tell when you're in faith. Your words change, your attitude changes, you feel a little lighter. You're not so depressed, you're not so mean. You're thanking God for it. I'm getting ahead of myself a little bit. But the point is, is that, you know, it's not that you can tell when you're in faith. It's not that hard to know when you're in faith. It's just that we don't like to admit when we're out of faith." [37:12] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "You got to thank God for number three. This is a big one. Consider not. Consider not. Okay? I believe for it. I'm thanking God for it. But it's still sitting in front of me. I still feel this in my body. I'm still getting these calls from the bill collectors. I'm still. This is still going on. So you might have a day or two where you hear a message like this and you're doing good. And then after about two or three days, you know, Satan comes for the word sake and bam, bam, bam, boom, boom, boom. And here you are again. It's all in front of you, and you're worse than you ever were. Why? Cause you did not consider not romans four. What did Abraham do? Verse 19. Being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body. Now dead. I, when he was about 100 years old neither. Yet the deadness of Sarah's womb, remember he. He was a hundred. And, you know, when you 100 and you get up in the morning, you know, you 100." [49:18] (65 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "Just because you can't see it doesn't mean God hasn't done it. Somebody say, I just can't see it yet. But turn to somebody and tell them, but I'm about to see it. Oh, man. You're about to see it. You're about to see it. You're about to see it. I'm gonna say it again. You're about. Come on. This still is the year of the next level. It's still the year of acceleration. I believe that some of us are about to have the best three months of our lives because we. We hadn't seen anything so far, but we know what God said, and God's about. About to accelerate something. Oh, come on. I'm trying to be good, but God's about to take you from the storm to the shore in a heartbeat, just like he did Jesus in John, chapter six. You're about to see it." [57:00] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9) "Go forward in faith. How do I see what God said? You got to believe for it. You got to thank God for it. You got to consider not. And then you still got to go forward. Like in Joshua, chapter six. What did he say? Verse one. We read this earlier. The gates of Jericho were tightly shut because the people were afraid of the Israelites. No one was allowed to go out or in. But the Lord said to Joshua, I have given you Jericho, its king, and all his strong warriors. Then notice the next thing he says. Now, you and your fighting men should march around the town once a day for six days. Seven priests will walk ahead of the ark, each carrying a ram's horn. And on the 7th day, you are to march around the town seven times with the priest blowing the horns. And when you hear the priest give one long blast on the ram's horns, have all the people shout as loud as they can. Come on. Shout in this place tonight. Hallelujah. I think there's some walls far because we're getting back in faith. We would believe in God. God said, then the walls of the town will collapse and the people can charge straight into the town." [59:28] (73 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?