Dave’s Monday Blast – August 17, 2020
Last week we began a discussion on the value of “waiting upon the Lord.” INTENTIONAL men of God recognize that waiting upon the Lord is a sound Biblical principle; one that bears practical fruit. Waiting upon Him gives us courage so we can be strong (Psalm 27:14). But God doesn’t work by this world’s standards. His timing and His ways are not easy. So God speaks often about waiting because it’s important and essential for every area of our lives; in our relationships, finances, physical life, and spiritual life.
The primary principle concerning waiting is simply this: There are great advantages and protections for us in God’s delays. Some things become richer and more meaningful when we wait for them. Another benefit is that we avoid the consequences of impatiently running ahead of God. Read the following: (Isaiah 40:28 – 31; Psalm 25:3; Psalm 37:9) and be encouraged..
So for me it begs the question…How should we wait?
Wrong ways to wait on God:
1. Impatiently. Fussing at the Lord because He hasn’t “done anything”!
2. Nervously. Being anxious about the outcome we can not predict or control.
3. Complaining. Grumbling at the Lord for His lack of response from our perspective.
4. Questioning. Doubting that God’s judgement is right.
5. Irritated. Becoming aggravated by His seeming inactivity.
6. Miserable. Feeling that God is withholding something from you.
All of these attitudes result from a failure to realize that God is good and generous, giving us much more than we deserve. Because He is also wise and loving, He withholds those things that are not beneficial for us, that we’re not ready to handle, or that could become stumbling blocks in our walk with Him. (READ THIS LIST AGAIN)!
Right ways to wait on God:
1. Patiently. “I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry…” (Psalm 40:1 – 3).
2. Quietly. “My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him.” (Psalm 62:5).
3. Trusting. “Waiting isn’t passive resignation but active trust in God, which allows us to rest patiently.” (Psalm 28:7).
4. Expectantly. “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” (Psalm 27:13).
5. Courageously. “Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14).
6. Standing on God’s Word. “I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, and in His word do I hope.” (Psalm 130:5).
“This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.” (1 John 5:14 – 15).
Look carefully at the lists of right and wrong ways to wait for God.
Which one more closely resembles your response? How does your view of God influence your trust in Him and shape how you wait for Him?
