## Waiting on the Lord

## Psalms 62:1-8

Our lives are characterized by speed, impatience, noise, and activity. Occasionally we throw in a little panic. For most of us, we'd rather do anything than wait. That is the source of many problems for us. When we get impatient we sometimes move too quickly or in the wrong direction. Illus: Moffett Field.

It is the same in our spiritual life, many times God wants us to wait, but we grow impatient. He wants us just to trust Him and wait for His guideance. When we can learn to wait on God, we will truly grow spirtiually with each situation.

This evening I want us to consider waiting on the Lord. Many of the characters we associate with waiting did so because they had no control over their particular situation. However it wasn't and still isn't easy to do!

I. Biblical examples of those who waited on God.

A. Noah

1. He was told to build an ark.

2. He was to keep faith until it rained.

3. Noah waited over 100 years for something he had never seen before--rain!

4. Through that experience he gained much: salvation for himself and his family.

5. He also learned that God is true to His Word!

6. These were some very valuable lessons learned only through waiting.

B. Job

1. He is described as being a man who was perfect and upright.

2. God allowed him to encounter physical suffering that only intensified with time.

3. He lost his children, his material wealth, his health, and his friends.

4. He waited perhaps years before God delivered him from his calamities.

C. Abraham

1. He was called of God to father a great nation.

2. It took many years and many experiences before he learned to discipline himself and wait on God

3. He learned that God will keep His promises, but that we must learn to wait.

D. Joseph

1. Sold into slavery by his own brothers.

2. Falsely accused and sent to prison.

3. Forgotten and mistreated, he learned to wait, and that God had a purpose.

E. Moses

1. Found himself on the back side of the Midian desert for forty years.

2. As he waited for God to use him, he learned well enough to later tell the people of Israel to "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." cf. Ex. 14:13

F. From the New Testament:

1. Jesus waited on God's will.

2. The disciples waited in the upper room.

3. Paul waited for three years so his heart and mind could be prepared for what God had for him to do.

4. Waiting on God is the rule, not the exception, but waiting on God is not worrying!

III. Why Wait?

A. God instructs us to wait for strength. cf. Is. 40:31

B. He tells us to wait for provision. cf. Ps. 62:5

C. He tells us to wait for direction. cf. Pr. 3:5-6

D. We are even told to wait for God's will to be accomplished. cf. Heb. 10:36

III. How should we wait on God?

A. While we wait, supplicate. cf. Ps. 40:1

1. Supplication means to ask God for specific needs.

2. Failure to pray while we wait is one reason why we sometimes wait without success.

3. Note the poem:

I know not by what methods rare, But this I know, God answers prayer.

I know not when He sends the Word, That tells us fervent prayer is heard.

I know it cometh soon or late; Therefore we need to pray and wait.

I know not if the blessing sought, Will come in just the guise I thought.

I leave my prayers with Him alone, Whose will is wiser than my own.

4. In a certain textile mill there were cards on the walls of the workrooms which read: "If your threads get tangled, send for the foreman."

One day a new worker got her threads tangled, and she tried to untangle them herself. Finally when she had made such a mess of them she was frustrated and called for the foreman.

When the foreman arrived he could see what had happened. He asked her why didn't you call for me to come? She was upset and said, "Well, I did my best!" He quickly replied that she didn't do her best, because she failed to send for him as she had been instructed.

Doing our best as Christians is telling God all our needs as we wait upon Him.

B. While we wait, saturate. cf Ps. 130:5

1. Saturate yourself with the Word of God by reading, studying, meditating, and learning His Word.

2. Study about God's goodness.

a. Read about the wonderful things that God has done.

b. Spend some time counting your blessings.

c. Meditate on God's great love.

3. Study about God's promises: God has promised...

a. Salvation for the seeking sinner. cf. Ro. 10:9-13, Jn. 14:6

b. Forgiveness when we are guilty. cf. 1 Jn. 1:9, Prov. 28:13

c. Strength when we are weak. cf. Is. 41:10, Ps. 27:13-14

d. Comfort when we are in sorrow. cf Is. 61:1-2, Mt. 5:4

e. Grace when we are sick or suffering. cf. 2 Co. 12:8- 10, Jas. 5:13-16

f. Protection when we are in danger. cf. Ps. 27:5, 50:15

g. Courage when we are afraid. cf. Ps. 46:1-2, 34:4

h. Peace when we are upset. cf. Is 26:3

i. Rest when we are weary. cf. Mt.11:28

j. Guideance when we face decisions.

k. Strength when we face temptation. cf. 1 Co. 10:13

l. Provision when we have need.

m. Companionship when we are alone. cf. Heb. 13:5

n. Encouragement when we are defeated. cf. De. 33:27

4. Study about God's power: this will help you to see that God is able to solve any problem you face or give you strength to face any problem.

Conclusion: Waiting on God involves trusting Him, reading His Word so we can listen to Him, praying to Him, and resting in Him quietly. Are you a waiter? or a runner? Too often we run ahead of God, when we ought to be waiting upon Him.