Trusting God's Timing: The Power of Waiting
Summary
### Summary
Today's message centers on the importance of waiting on God and trusting in His timing. We often find ourselves trying to take control of our lives, forgetting that God's ways are higher than ours. The Bible reminds us that God is a very present help in times of trouble, and we must learn to rely on Him rather than on people who may fail us. Moving ahead of God's timing can lead to fatigue and frustration because we lack the divine support and resources that come with His perfect timing.
We are encouraged to write our visions and make them plain, understanding that the vision is for an appointed time. Our obedience to God impacts not just our lives but also those who look up to us. Therefore, we must consecrate ourselves, fast, and seek God's face continually. The message also addresses the issue of church attendance and the importance of being consistent in our spiritual practices, such as attending Bible study and engaging in prayer.
The sermon also touches on the dangers of making church optional for our children and the consequences of not instilling in them the importance of a relationship with God. It challenges the trend of criticizing the church and starting online ministries without proper spiritual covering and accountability. The devil targets believers to make God regret saving them, so we must stay rooted in prayer, fasting, and God's Word.
The message concludes with a powerful reminder that waiting on God brings renewed strength, real status, and revolving stamina. Just as an eagle soars at high altitudes, we too can rise above our challenges if we wait on God. The sermon ends with a call to trust God fully, knowing that He will fight our battles and provide for us in ways we cannot imagine.
### Key Takeaways
1. Trust in God's Timing: Moving ahead of God's timing can lead to fatigue and frustration. When we wait on God, He provides the necessary resources and support to fulfill our vision. Our obedience impacts not just our lives but also those who look up to us. Therefore, we must consecrate ourselves and seek God's face continually. [02:41]
2. Consistency in Spiritual Practices: Attending church and Bible study regularly is crucial for spiritual growth. Many people treat Sunday service as their only spiritual meal for the week, leading to spiritual malnourishment. Consistency in prayer, fasting, and engaging with God's Word helps us stay spiritually strong and accountable. [04:38]
3. Parental Responsibility in Spiritual Guidance: Making church optional for children can lead to a lack of spiritual foundation. Parents must instill the importance of a relationship with God in their children, teaching them to rely on God rather than on human support. This helps them develop discernment and a strong spiritual foundation. [05:38]
4. The Dangers of Criticizing the Church: Criticizing the church and starting online ministries without proper spiritual covering can lead to spiritual attacks. The devil targets believers to make God regret saving them. Staying rooted in prayer, fasting, and God's Word helps us withstand these attacks and grow spiritually. [06:39]
5. Benefits of Waiting on God: Waiting on God brings renewed strength, real status, and revolving stamina. Just as an eagle soars at high altitudes, we too can rise above our challenges if we wait on God. Trusting in God's timing and provision allows us to experience His supernatural strength and blessings. [19:07]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:54] - God's Present Help
[01:52] - The Importance of Waiting
[02:41] - Writing the Vision
[03:23] - Consecration and Obedience
[04:38] - Consistency in Spiritual Practices
[05:38] - Parental Responsibility
[06:39] - Criticizing the Church
[07:28] - Spiritual Attacks on Believers
[08:25] - The Power of Waiting
[09:26] - Standards and Morals
[10:16] - Jesus Praying for Peter
[11:17] - The Lifeline of the Church
[12:31] - Prosperity vs. Profitability
[13:26] - Knowing God
[14:48] - Jesus' Question to His Disciples
[15:53] - God's Reputation
[16:35] - Names of God
[17:02] - Jehovah Jireh
[18:07] - Trusting God's Plan
[19:07] - Renewed Strength
[20:01] - God's Grace
[21:00] - Real Status
[22:09] - The Eagle's Flight
[23:02] - Staying in Your Lane
[24:47] - Revolving Stamina
[26:11] - The Struggle is Over
[27:00] - Communion
[49:02] - Offering and Giving
[52:33] - Announcements and Closing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 40:28-31 (KJV)
> "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
2. Habakkuk 2:2-3 (KJV)
> "And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."
3. Psalm 46:1 (KJV)
> "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Isaiah 40:28-31, what are the benefits of waiting on the Lord? How does this passage describe God's nature and His provision for those who wait on Him?
2. In Habakkuk 2:2-3, what instructions does God give regarding the vision? What is the significance of the vision being for an appointed time?
3. Psalm 46:1 describes God as a "very present help in trouble." How does this verse relate to the sermon's message about relying on God rather than people? [00:54]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of waiting on God in Isaiah 40:28-31 challenge our natural tendencies to take control of our situations? What does it mean to "mount up with wings as eagles"? [19:07]
2. In what ways can writing and making the vision plain, as instructed in Habakkuk 2:2-3, help us stay aligned with God's timing and purpose? How does this practice impact those who look up to us? [02:41]
3. Reflecting on Psalm 46:1, why is it important to recognize God as our refuge and strength, especially in times of trouble? How does this understanding affect our trust in His timing and provision? [00:54]
### Application Questions
1. Think about a time when you moved ahead of God's timing and experienced fatigue or frustration. What steps can you take to ensure you wait on God's timing in the future? [01:52]
2. How consistent are you in your spiritual practices such as prayer, fasting, and Bible study? What changes can you make to ensure you are spiritually nourished throughout the week? [04:38]
3. As a parent or guardian, how are you instilling the importance of a relationship with God in your children? What practical steps can you take to make church and spiritual growth a priority for them? [05:38]
4. Have you ever found yourself criticizing the church or starting an online ministry without proper spiritual covering? How can you seek accountability and spiritual guidance to avoid spiritual attacks? [06:39]
5. Reflect on a current challenge you are facing. How can you apply the principle of waiting on God to this situation? What specific actions will you take to trust in His timing and provision? [19:07]
6. Identify one area in your life where you need to trust God more fully. What practical steps can you take this week to surrender that area to Him and rely on His strength? [20:01]
7. How can you encourage others in your small group or community to wait on God and trust in His timing? Share a personal testimony or scripture that has helped you in your journey of faith. [19:07]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in God's Timing
Description: Moving ahead of God's timing can lead to fatigue and frustration. When we wait on God, He provides the necessary resources and support to fulfill our vision. Our obedience impacts not just our lives but also those who look up to us. Therefore, we must consecrate ourselves and seek God's face continually. [02:41]
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Think of a situation where you are tempted to rush ahead of God's timing. How can you practice patience and trust in His perfect timing today?
Day 2: Consistency in Spiritual Practices
Description: Attending church and Bible study regularly is crucial for spiritual growth. Many people treat Sunday service as their only spiritual meal for the week, leading to spiritual malnourishment. Consistency in prayer, fasting, and engaging with God's Word helps us stay spiritually strong and accountable. [04:38]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Identify one spiritual practice you have been inconsistent with. What steps can you take this week to make it a regular part of your routine?
Day 3: Parental Responsibility in Spiritual Guidance
Description: Making church optional for children can lead to a lack of spiritual foundation. Parents must instill the importance of a relationship with God in their children, teaching them to rely on God rather than on human support. This helps them develop discernment and a strong spiritual foundation. [05:38]
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Reflection: How can you create a more spiritually nurturing environment for your children or younger family members this week?
Day 4: The Dangers of Criticizing the Church
Description: Criticizing the church and starting online ministries without proper spiritual covering can lead to spiritual attacks. The devil targets believers to make God regret saving them. Staying rooted in prayer, fasting, and God's Word helps us withstand these attacks and grow spiritually. [06:39]
1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV): "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world."
Reflection: Reflect on any negative attitudes you may have towards the church. How can you shift your focus to prayer and support for your church community?
Day 5: Benefits of Waiting on God
Description: Waiting on God brings renewed strength, real status, and revolving stamina. Just as an eagle soars at high altitudes, we too can rise above our challenges if we wait on God. Trusting in God's timing and provision allows us to experience His supernatural strength and blessings. [19:07]
Psalm 27:14 (ESV): "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"
Reflection: What is one challenge you are currently facing? How can you actively wait on God and trust in His provision for this situation?
Quotes
1. "So what God says, He says, I want you to wait. And watch this. You can write this down in your notes. Moving too early before God will leave you fatigued. Moving before God will leave you fatigued. Why will it leave you fatigued? Because you don't have the help you need to have because you won't wait. If you will wait on God, He will not give, He will only give you, He will only give you the resources, He will give you the people to help you get to the next level." [02:41] (41 seconds)
2. "What if I told you that you are an answer to somebody's prayer? Which is why you got to consecrate yourself. Which is why you got to fast. Which is why you got to stay before God. Which is why you got to seek His face. Which is why every time the church doors are open, instructions should be got." [03:23] (18 seconds)
3. "The devil is alive. Because the day you matter more to your child than God does, they now have made you their idol. And I'm not saying that we should not, you know, parent our children well. I am saying that the same God that got me through my mess is the same God that can get you through yours. But we made church optional." [05:38] (30 seconds)
4. "Because the devil, if he got sinners, he ain't got to attack them. But he attacking saints to make God regret saving you. So every chance I get, I ought to be praying and fasting and in God's word and being held accountable. Because when I'm held accountable, I can do better. some people wonder why they ain't got the better. Because you keep hanging around everything that ain't produced them better." [07:28] (25 seconds)
5. "Because if you'd have heeded the warnings of not going to that place from the very place that was the lifeline, we would have to be your resuscitation when you get in trouble. You're bowling? You would wait. Because waiting has benefits. Because what everybody running to may not be the very thing. It's the thing you need to run to. Just because it is prosperous, don't mean it's profitable." [11:17] (40 seconds)
6. "If God got to ask some of us. Has thou not known? Has thou not heard? Some of us can be close to him and still not know who he is. Because when you know God. You know his heart. Not just his hand. When you know God. Anything that breaks his heart will break yours. You won't betray God trying to get fast food blessings. When he's trying to give you soul food." [14:10] (31 seconds)
7. "Because the grass ain't greener on the other side. It's green where you water it. What if I told you today, mind your business. Because if you would only wait on God. He'll give you the desires of your heart." [13:26] (18 seconds)
8. "If you would only wait, God will give you more than you ever expected. God will let see your natural strength. Supernatural. you would only wait. He says, I just want you to trust me. I want you to have communication with who I am because, because, because your last time was based on your strength, but this time will be different." [35:16] (65 seconds)
9. "He says. There's no searching. Of. His. Understanding. He. Gives. Power. To. The. Faith. And. To. Them. That. Have. No. That. Have. No. Might. He. Increases. Their. Strength. Watch. This. Even. The. Youth. Shall. Faint. And. Weary. And. The. Young. Man. Shall. Utterly. Fall. But. They. That. Wait. If. You. Would. Only. Wait. It's. On. The. Line. Gotta. Give. You. Renew. Strength." [19:07] (47 seconds)
10. "Because. The. Grass. Ain't. Greener. On. The. Other. Side. It's. Green. Where. You. Water. It. What. If. I. Told. You. Today. Mind. Your. Business. Because. If. You. Would. Only. Wait. On. God. He'll. Give. You. The. Desires. Of. Your. Heart. So. We. See. Watch. This." [13:26] (20 seconds)