Waiting on God: Trusting His Timing and Presence

Devotional

Day 1: God Knows and Cares for Each Person Deeply

God knows exactly who will receive each gift and cares for every child, orchestrating blessings long before we can imagine them. He sees the needs of each person, even in places we may never visit, and ensures that His love reaches them in tangible ways. When we participate in acts of generosity, we become part of God's plan to remind others that they are not forgotten, but cherished by their Creator. Our small acts, guided by His Spirit, can have a profound impact on lives and communities, showing the world the depth of God's attentive love. [14:50]

Isaiah 40:11 (NIV)
He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.

Reflection: Who is someone in your life who may feel forgotten or overlooked? How can you show them God’s attentive love in a practical way this week?

Day 2: The Transforming Power of God’s Presence

It is God’s presence, not just His gifts or answers, that truly transforms lives and brings healing, comfort, and hope. When we gather in worship or pray for others, we are invited to seek not only solutions to our problems but the nearness of God Himself. His presence changes us from the inside out, enabling us to leave every encounter with Him different than when we arrived. In every circumstance—joy or grief, health or illness—what we need most is to experience the reality of God with us. [16:39]

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to experience God’s presence today, and how can you intentionally seek Him in that place?

Day 3: Waiting on God Is a Gift, Not a Burden

Waiting is not wasted time; it is a sacred opportunity to trust God and receive what He wants to give us. Just as the disciples were told to wait for the Holy Spirit, we are sometimes called to pause, listen, and be still before acting. In the waiting, God shapes our hearts, teaches us dependence, and prepares us for the gifts He has planned. Rather than rushing ahead, we are invited to embrace the waiting as a time of growth and trust, knowing that God’s timing is always perfect. [55:53]

Acts 1:4 (NIV)
On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.”

Reflection: What is one area where you feel impatient or restless? How might God be inviting you to wait and trust Him more deeply in this season?

Day 4: Responding to God’s Voice Over Our Own Impulses

We are often quick to act on needs we see, but God calls us to first listen for His direction and move according to His command. True obedience means pausing to hear from God before jumping into action, trusting that His ways are higher than ours. By seeking His guidance, we become people who are characterized not by busyness, but by responsiveness to His Spirit. This posture of listening and waiting ensures that our efforts align with God’s will and bear lasting fruit. [01:01:25]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Reflection: Before you act on a need or opportunity today, will you pause to ask God for His direction? What might it look like to wait for His leading before moving forward?

Day 5: Worship and Experience God Beyond Sunday Mornings

Worship and experiencing God’s presence are not limited to Sunday services; we are invited to encounter Him throughout the week, in every moment and place. God desires to meet with us on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and even in the quiet hours of the night. By intentionally setting aside time to be with Him, we open ourselves to His guidance, comfort, and transformation in our daily lives. Let us cultivate a rhythm of worship and listening that extends beyond the church walls, making every day an opportunity to draw nearer to our Savior. [56:48]

Psalm 27:4 (NIV)
One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.

Reflection: What is one specific way you can set aside time this week to worship God or seek His presence outside of Sunday morning?

Sermon Summary

This morning, we gathered as a community to lift up those among us who are facing illness, grief, and hardship, remembering that our prayers and presence matter deeply. We celebrated the generosity and effort poured into the shoebox ministry, recognizing that these simple gifts will reach children who have so little, offering not just material blessings but a tangible reminder of God’s love and care. It’s humbling to realize that even the box itself becomes a treasure for a child who has nothing of their own. Our hope is that these gifts will not only bless individuals but ripple out to entire communities, carrying with them the message that God has not forgotten them.

We reflected on the importance of giving—not just financially, but of ourselves, our time, and our prayers. True giving is an act of worship, a way of joining with God in His work. For those visiting, the invitation was not to give money, but to share their presence and stories, reminding us that relationship is at the heart of our faith.

Turning to Isaiah 40, we considered what it means for God to be our everything. It’s easy to say that Christ is central, but living that truth is a journey. Many of us begin our walk with God knowing Him in name, but it’s through the witness of others and the work of the Holy Spirit that faith becomes real and transformative. We are reminded that the same Spirit who empowered Christ and the early church is alive in each of us, calling us to share, serve, and sometimes simply to wait.

Waiting on God is not passive. It is an active, faith-filled posture that requires trust and patience. The disciples were told to wait for the Holy Spirit, and in that waiting, they received a gift greater than they could have imagined. In our own lives, we often rush to action, eager to fix or do, but God invites us to pause, to listen, and to receive His direction. The waiting itself is a gift, teaching us dependence and preparing us for what He has in store.

As we go out, may we be people who respond to God’s voice, who are willing to wait, listen, and move only at His command. Let us seek His presence not just on Sundays, but every day, learning to trust Him more deeply and to serve as His hands and feet in the world.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Gift of Generosity Extends Beyond Material Goods True generosity is not just about what we give, but the love and intention behind it. The shoeboxes sent to children around the world are more than toys—they are a message that someone cares, that God sees and loves them. Even the simplest gift, when given in love, can transform a life and a community. [14:12]
2. Waiting on God is an Act of Faith Waiting is not inactivity; it is a spiritual discipline that requires trust. Like the disciples in the upper room, we are sometimes called to pause and listen for God’s direction rather than rushing ahead. In the waiting, God shapes our hearts, deepens our dependence, and prepares us for the work He has for us. [55:53]
3. God’s Presence Transforms Our Lives What we need most is not solutions to our problems, but the presence of God Himself. When we seek Him—through prayer, worship, and stillness—He meets us, heals us, and changes us from the inside out. It is His presence that enables us to leave different than when we arrived. [16:39]
4. Every Believer is Empowered to Serve The Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in each of us, equipping us to share, serve, and even speak when called. Ministry is not reserved for a select few; God invites all of us to participate in His work, whether through a word, a song, or a simple act of kindness. [40:33]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[12:07] - Announcements and Prayer Requests
[12:55] - Praying for the Shoebox Ministry
[13:30] - The Impact of Shoeboxes
[14:12] - Blessing the Shoeboxes and Recipients
[14:50] - Praying for the Sick and Hurting
[15:46] - The Transforming Power of God’s Presence
[16:39] - Worship and Seeking God Together
[17:19] - The Lord’s Prayer
[34:01] - Giving as Worship
[37:29] - Children’s Church Dismissal
[37:52] - Introduction to Isaiah 40
[38:14] - Christ: Name or Everything?
[39:20] - The Power of a Living Example
[40:33] - Every Believer’s Call to Serve
[55:53] - The Gift of Waiting
[56:48] - Worship Beyond Sunday
[57:22] - Responding to God’s Voice
[61:25] - Praying for Deeper Trust
[62:09] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In Isaiah 40, what images or descriptions are used to show God’s greatness and care for His people?
According to the sermon, what is the significance of the shoebox ministry for the children who receive the boxes? [[13:30]]
What did the pastor say about the importance of waiting on God, and how did he connect this to the disciples in the upper room? [[55:53]]
How does the sermon describe the role of every believer in serving and sharing God’s love? [[40:33]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Isaiah 40 was chosen as the main passage for this sermon? What message does it bring to people who are tired, grieving, or facing hardship?
The sermon says that even the box itself is a treasure for a child who has nothing. What does this teach us about the value of small acts of generosity? [[13:30]]
The pastor mentioned that waiting on God is not passive, but an act of faith. What does it mean to “wait” on God in a way that is active and trusting? [[55:53]]
The sermon says the Holy Spirit empowers every believer, not just a few. How does this challenge the way we think about who can serve or lead in the church? [[40:33]]

Application Questions

Think about a time when you gave something to someone in need. Did you focus more on the gift itself or the love behind it? How can you be more intentional about showing God’s love in your giving? [[14:12]]
The sermon talked about waiting on God instead of rushing to fix things. Is there an area in your life right now where you feel God is asking you to wait? What would it look like to trust Him in that waiting? [[55:53]]
The pastor said, “What we need more than anything else is your presence.” How do you seek God’s presence during the week, not just on Sundays? Are there simple ways you can make space for Him in your daily routine? [[16:39]]
The shoebox ministry was described as a way to bless not just individuals, but whole communities. Is there a small act of kindness you could do this week that might have a bigger impact than you realize? [[14:12]]
The sermon invited everyone, not just leaders, to serve and share. Is there a way you feel God nudging you to serve—maybe through a word, a song, or a simple act? What’s holding you back from stepping out? [[40:33]]
The pastor mentioned that sometimes we want to act quickly, but God calls us to pause and listen. What are some practical ways you can slow down and listen for God’s direction before making decisions? [[56:48]]
The message ended with a call to respond to God’s voice and move only at His command. What is one step you can take this week to be more responsive to God’s leading in your life? [[57:22]]

Sermon Clips

We ask that you would use the songs, the prayers, the words spoken, all that we say and do today to point us towards you, to help us experience you. That as we go out into this broken world, we can truly work to see your kingdom come. [00:16:41] (17 seconds) #PointToTheKingdom

If the gospel be true, it is of infinite importance. And if it's false, it's of no importance at all. The only thing it cannot be is of mediocre importance. It's either nothing to you or it's everything to you. [00:38:24] (15 seconds) #SpeakYourCalling

The same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead empowers me, empowers her, and is living within you. And so it is my responsibility to make sure that every time we gather that the Word of God is preached accurately, but it's not my responsibility to do it every time. [00:40:25] (19 seconds) #EmpoweredByTheSpirit

As she was speaking, and I was listening to this, and I was equating what she's talking about with waiting to the disciples in the upper room. And Christ said, wait here, and I'll send you the Holy Spirit. Why didn't he just give it to them right then? Because the waiting was a gift, too. And we need to spend time waiting to hear what Christ has to say to us and what he's calling for us. [00:55:40] (33 seconds) #WaitingIsAGift

That doesn't mean sit around inactively and then start back up later. That means to spend time in his presence. Did you know you can worship apart from Sunday morning? Did you know you can experience the presence of God Wednesdays and Fridays and Saturdays and in the middle of the night? [00:56:44] (19 seconds) #WorshipEveryday

Let's spend time with our Savior, listening to how he would guide and direct our lives. Because he doesn't just want to give us the information. He has a gift for us in the waiting because it's in the waiting that we learn to trust in the gift that he's about to give us. [00:57:03] (20 seconds) #TrustInTheWaiting

We run into activity and busyness. But help us to take that opportunity to sit at your feet and refuse to go to work until we hear from you, our General, our Commander-in-Chief. [01:01:29] (15 seconds) #WaitForHisVoice

We're so bad to see a need and want to go fill it, rather than waiting for how you would have us to address it. Lord, help us to be characterized as people that respond to your voice, that move according to your commandment, rather than just what we see around us. [01:01:44] (19 seconds) #MoveByHisCommand

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