wait on god
Waiting On God – Part 4
Waiting On God – Part 4
Waiting on God refers to the act of patiently trusting in God’s timing, wisdom, and plan. Especially during times of uncertainty or difficulty. It involves surrendering one’s desires and expectations to God’s will, trusting that He will provide the right answers. And that God will provide the the direction or intervention that we need at the perfect time.
This concept is often associated with spiritual growth, relying on faith and perseverance, and maintaining hope while waiting for God. It is about acknowledging that God’s plans and timing may differ from our own and choosing to trust Him fully, regardless of how long it takes.
Waiting On God
This is the 4th Part of our series on Waiting on God. In Part 1 and Part 2 we looked at examples of real people in the Bible that needed to learn to wait on God. For guidance, for strength, for deliverance… In Part 3 we began to look at the various reason why you should wait on God.
Although waiting on God is never easy, there are times in our lives when God will make us wait on Him. He wants and needs to teach us an important lesson that we all need to learn if we are to become mature, faithful, and fruitful disciples and followers of Jesus. The important lesson is to learn to wait on God.
We need to learn to not get ahead of God, and learn that His ways and His timing are always best. We need to learn that without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5) and we cannot produce spiritual eternal fruit on our own. And we need to learn that we have to be completely dependent on Him. And we need to learn to be in step with God and His timing. We need to learn to be one with God, as Jesus and our Father are one (John 17).
We learn many important lessons when we learn to wait on God.
Waiting On God
God Moves Powerfully & Swiftly, In His Own Time
When God is ready, and in His time, He moves strongly and swiftly.
“I am the LORD; in it’s time I will do this swiftly.” – Isaiah 60:22
God has a set time to do what He wants to do. Or what He promises to do. When it is God’s time, He will do what He has planned or promised quickly, strongly, and in a far better way than we could ever do it. It is essential to wait on God and His timing if you want to experience God in real, personal, and powerful ways.
Being unwilling to wait on God shows a lack of faith and confidence in God. Or a lack of humility.
Waiting On God – A Great Promise
There is a great truth and promise in God’s word in Isaiah 64. God promises that He will always act on behalf of those who trust Him and wait for Him.
“Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. – Isaiah 64:4
Waiting On God
We Need To Learn To Wait On God
We need to learn to patiently wait on God. Especially when you are confused and do not understand what God is doing. You do not need to understand what God is doing. You need to trust Him and wait patiently for Him.
God has a greater purpose in mind that just fixing our temporary problem or circumstance.
“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire. And He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him. Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.” – Psalm 40:1-4
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son.” – Romans 8:28-29
When you understand the context of Romans chapter 8, you will see that when Paul writes “all things” in Romans 8:28, he is talking about difficult times and trials. He is telling us that God uses these difficult times for good. Not just the good of fixing your problems and making your life better.
The greater purpose God has for these things is found in verse 29. To mold and shape you to be conformed to the image of His son Jesus.
Lessons To Learn From Waiting On God
We need to learn to wait on God. And there are various lessons to learn about God in these times of waiting.
1.God is not in a hurry. He wants it done right, not done quickly
2. God has His time and His way.
Acts 1:7 “He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.”
2 Peter 3:8 “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the LORD a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.”
Psalm 75:2 “I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge with equity.”
3. Faith strengthens with use. You need to exercise and use your faith so it will grow.
4. Instant answers do not mature you
5. Patience is one of your greatest needs
6. God wants to make you complete and whole
James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Waiting On God
More Lessons From Waiting On God
7. Waiting during trials is good spiritual training
Hebrews 12:9-11 “Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. For the moment, all discipline seems not to be pleasant, but painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”
Malachi 3:3 “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness.”
8. Waiting builds character, and builds hope
Romans 5:3 “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
Isaiah 49:23 “Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.”
9. God wants to transform you to be like Jesus
Romans 8:28-29 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the LORD’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the LORD, who is the Spirit.”
10. You need to learn total submission to God
James 4:6-8 “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the LORD, and he will lift you up.”
Isaiah 1:19-20 “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
11. God wants you to be one with Him and enjoy intimacy with God
John 17:22-23 “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.”
* See God’s Spiritual Goals & God’s Training
Waiting on God does not mean sitting around and doing nothing until God is ready to move and respond. Waiting on God can be a very active time of spending extra time in prayer and in God’s word, seeking Him and His voice. Because of this extra focused time alone with God, many people emerge from difficulties and times of waiting on God with a much deeper and more intimate fellowship with God.
Waiting On God
Waiting on God means:
1.Trusting in God
2. Being Confident in God & Resting in God
- Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
- “Take my yoke upon you”… Jesus is talking about submitting to Him, His will, His timing… and letting Him be in front and lead you. He is Lord, and we are His followers.
3. Hoping in God
- Isaiah 49:23 – “Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down before you with their faces to the ground; they will lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.”
4. Not Just Waiting On God, But Waiting With God
- Hebrews 13:5-6 “God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The LORD is my helper; I will not be afraid.”
5. Actively Seeking God and His Will
- “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13
6. Getting Right With God
7. Fully Submitting to God
- Isaiah 66:2 “Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.”
The next time you have to wait on God, do all you can to fully trust Him. Fully trust that God knows and wants what is best for you. And know that God has a purpose in allowing you to be in the situation of having to wait on Him.
Pursuing Intimacy With God is committed to helping you with the most important thing in your life… your intimacy with God , your fellowship with Him, and your partnership with God in His Kingdom work & mission.
There are hundreds of Bible verses and great truths & promises in the Pursuing Intimacy With God studies.
** New Expanded Edition of Pursuing Intimacy With God Bible Studies Book – 40% more material
Ebook version of Pursuing Intimacy With God on Google Books
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Other Links
Religion vs Relationship With God
Why Should You Pray & Spend Time With God ?
Is Jesus Your First Love ? Part 2
Prayer Is Passion To Seek & Know God
God’s Purpose & Mission For You And Your Church
Spiritual Gifts: All Christians Have Gifts
Jesus Wants To Heal You & Set You Free
Salvation & The Gospel Of Jesus Christ
The Kind of Christian & Church God Wants
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