Day Three: Waiting on God

I live with an ex-coach whose philosophy was, “If you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late. And if you’re late, you’re dead.” Waiting was an acquired talent for my husband, the father of two daughters. Our culture isn’t fond of waiting either with all our drive-thru this and instant that.

· Is there something you’re waiting for now that is especially difficult?

Waiting in prayer rises to a different level of . . . what’s the word? Impatience? Anxiety? Frustration? When the stakes are higher than a cold burger in a drive thru line, my heart gets involved. Please, Lord, I want justice. Please, heal this cancer. And then we wait. Ugh.

Yahweh revealed some important things about waiting to the Old Testament prophets. When Habakkuk asked why and how long God would endure injustice, God told him, “You wouldn’t believe Me if I told you!” Then the Lord affirmed His promises—kept in His time, not theirs.

After uttering devastating prophecies against the faithless, Isaiah assured those who wait in patient hope that they would be strengthened.

· Have you seen God’s delay work in your favor in the past?

· How can waiting on an answer to prayer strengthen you?

New Testament Waiting

Have you ever considered that God has been waiting too? His plan of redemption has marched forward since Adam and Eve’s sin. Salvation was woven into the Old and New Testaments, creating a seamless plan. Today, we see it clearly in the Savior promised in the Garden, the Son revealed in the Gospels, and the Spirit given to the Church. After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, we join God in waiting for His Son’s promised return.

· Why does God make waiting a part of the human condition?

Infinite Intimate

After Mary gave birth to the Savior, she waited thirty years before her Son’s first miracle. After Jesus’ death, the disciples waited three days before His resurrection. When Jesus was taken to heaven, many gathered together and waited fifty days before the Holy Spirit was given. Each event still affects us today—the whole world. But each also impacts us individually—intimately. We serve God Eternal, who is both infinite and intimate. 

· How can keeping God’s infinite/intimate character help our perspective while waiting?

Fuel for the Soul:

· Habakkuk 1:5; 2:3

· Isaiah 40:27-31

· Genesis 3:15

· Matthew 3:13-17

· Acts 1:4-10

· Romans 8:22-25