MEMORY VERSE: “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.” Psalm 62:5.
BIBLE PASSAGE: Lamentation 3:24-26
INTRODUCTION
Waiting on God is not only difficult, sometimes, it seems impossible. We want things to happen in our own timing, according to our plan, but God does not operate on our schedules Isaiah 55:8-9. God wants us to wait on Him in eager anticipation, knowing that he is with us and in control of our lives. He will do what he has promised. He will rescue and save us. He is always working for our good, even when we do not feel his presence or understand the situation Romans 8:28.
OUTLINE
1.THE “WAITING ROOM” AND ITS BLESSINGS
2. WHAT TO DO IN THE WAITING ROOM
1.THE “WAITING ROOM” AND ITS BLESSINGS
The “waiting room” is the place of seeking God’s intervention over a situation or condition Psalms 40:1. It is the gap between God’s promises and their fulfilment Genesis 21:2; Romans 4:18-21. It is the space between “crying” for a change and God’s response to the cry Jonah 2:2; Lamentations 3:55-58. It is where we prepare for the next phase of the journey of destiny Genesis 28:10-16.
Waiting is unavoidable Psalms 145:15; at one point or the other, we all must wait patiently on God for something Psalms 62:5; 130:5-6. Waiting will not be forever 2 Corinthians 4:17; Romans 8:18. Sometimes God puts us in the “waiting room” against our will to give us an opportunity to change Jonah 1:17. At other times, God uses the “waiting room” to test our commitment and grow our faith Psalms 66:10-12. The ability to wait on the lord comes from being confident and focused on who God is and in what God is doing Philippians 1:6.
There are blessings of being in God’s “waiting room”. As we wait on the lord, we learn and experience trust 1 Peter 5:10. Waiting renews our strength Isaiah 40:31; builds our faith and confidence in God Romans 4:20-21; takes away shame Isaiah 61:7; builds patience James 1:3, makes us an authority as we showcase his glory Job 23:10.
2. WHAT TO DO IN THE WAITING ROOM
How we emerge from God’s “waiting room” is dependent largely on our attitude while in there. Waiting on God requires us to put aside our ways of doing things, trust his timing and plans Psalm 90:4. We should not alter God’s timetable by going contrary to his will Job 14:14; Hebrews 12:2. We must be sure of God’s direction Psalms 37:23; Isaiah 30:21. We should be thankful for what God will do in our situation Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:18. We need to also learn to be content and patient Hebrews 6:15; 10:36. We should be of good courage Psalms 27:14, actively seeking god in prayer and studying the word of God 1 Chronicles 16:11; Psalms 130:5. We need to consciously take actions as directed by the holy spirit Proverbs 3:5-6.
CONCLUSION
Remember that delay is not denial. You are in God’s “waiting room”, and He is at work.
FURTHER READINGS:
SUN: Psalms 66:10-12
MON: Proverbs 3:5-6
TUE: Romans 4:20-21
WED: Psalms 130:5-6
THUR: Lamentations 3:55-58
FRI: Romans 4:18-21
SAT: Philippians 4:6-7