Waiting is Hard Devotion

Acts 1:4-5 (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. For John baptized withwater, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

In this Scripture, the disciples went to the upper room and waited for 10 days for the promise of the Holy Spirit. Notice Jesus didn’t tell them how long the waiting would be.

They were not the only ones in the Bible who had to wait for what God had promised them.

• Noah waited 120 years while he built the ark.
• David waited 15 years to be king.
• Moses waited 40 years to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. He fled Egypt and wasn’t called back to lead his people until he was in his 80s.
• Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years for Isaac to be born.
• Rebekah waited 20 years to give birth to Jacob and Esau.

Since waiting is an important part of the Christian life, how should we handle waiting.

Obediently Wait. God calls us to obey Him even while we’re waiting. The disciples didn’t wait for a day or two and then, when it didn’t happen right away, forget about it. They determined in their hearts to obey what Jesus told them no matter how long the wait. While they were waiting, they still carried out God’s calling and did their part. They found an upper room to wait in. They appointed a new disciple to replace Judas named Mattias.  They probably discussed all Jesus had said, and they waited even though they didn’t know how long it would take.

Others did the same thing. David fought battles, led men, and prepared to be king while he waited. Abraham tended his land and his sheep while he waited. Noah built an ark while he waited. You may be waiting a long time for what God has promised, but don’t give us. Continue to do what God told you, what you’re called to do, until the promise comes or until God gives you new instructions.

Seek God While Waiting.

Acts 1:14 (NIV) They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

One of the hardest things to do while you’re actively waiting is to keep your eyes on the Lord and to seek Him. While we are waiting, we should also be worshipping, praying, and searching the Scripture. If we don’t seek God while waiting, no matter how long, discouragement will set in. We will be more tempted give up.

Lamentations 3:24-26 NKJV “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!”The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord.

Put Your Hope in God not in the Promise: Many times, while we are waiting a long time, a shift happens. We start putting our hope in what God promised us instead of in God. Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” If our hope is in the promise, and it’s delayed, eventually, it will eat away at us. It will make our heart sick. But if we put our hope in God, no matter what comes our way, we won’t be shaken.

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NLT)  Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.

It’s possible God will answer our prayer and fulfill His promise in a way we don’t expect or take much longer than expected. We need to determine in our hearts, our trust is in Him no matter what happens.

Expectantly Wait: Our trust is in God no matter what happens, but we still wait expectantly for God to do something in His timing. Scripture is filled with suddenly moments that happen after years of expectantly waiting. The disciples had their suddenly moment.

Acts 2:1-4 (NIV) When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Other suddenly moments:

Paul was saved while on his way to kill Christians. Acts 9:3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him.

Peter was rescued from prison Acts 12:7 Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists.

God rescued Paul and Silas from prison. Acts 16:26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!

Psalm 27:13-14 (NIV) Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Benefits to Waiting on God.

As you do your part while waiting, God promises to give you strength to do what you need to do.

Grows Our Faith: Hebrews 11 is the Heroes of the Faith chapter and includes many people who had to wait on God. Through the waiting their faith was strengthens. Vs 1 says Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.

Strengthens Us Spiritually: Isaiah 40:31 NKJV But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Strengthens Our Endurance: James 1:2-4 (NIV) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Strengthens Our Trust in God: Psalm 9:10. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

If your waiting for what God has promised, take heart. Your suddenly is coming.