Psalm 27:13  I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.

14  Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!

Psalm 69:3  I am weary with my crying; My throat is dry; My eyes fail while I wait for my God.

I. We Wait for the fulfillment of God’s promises and revelation of His character

Ps 130:5  I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. 6 My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning

Justice Ps 37:7  Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of (the wicked) who prospers in his way Pr 20:22 

Js 5:7 be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits…waiting patiently for…rain Php 3:20 

Abraham et al Heb 11:10  for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.  13  These all died in faith, not having received the promises…39  And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise,

Provision Isa 40:31 those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles…not faint

II. God Waits to be gracious, according to his perfect timetable

Isa 30:18  the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him

God gives what’s best when it’s best   Rm 12:1-2 sacrifice…transformed…good, acceptable and perfect will of God

God’s goal is an intimate dependent relationship (which is what’s best for us) so we need to focus on the Giver vs gift  Jn15:4 Abide in Me, & I in you…

III. We have difficulty Waiting and doubt the promises of God due to Sin

Isa 14:13  you have said in your heart: ‘I will’

A. Sin of  Pride -We believe that we know better than God about what’s best for us and when it’s best for us (and that it depends on us)

2Pt 2:9  unjust under punishment 10  esp  those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority,  presumptuous, self-willed

B. Lust of the Eyes - We believe that something other than God is essential for our happiness and well-being

Ps 27:4  One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek:… 8  You said, "Seek My face," My heart said to You, "Your face, LORD, I will seek."

C. Lust of the Flesh - We believe that we are unworthy to receive God’s blessing because we are committed to indulging our deadly desires

Ps 84:11  the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good [thing] will He withhold From those who walk uprightly

IV. Failure to Wait brings disaster

Ps 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build

Pr 1:28 they will call on me, but I will not answer…29  Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD, 30  They would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke. 31  Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies

Sorry Saul 1Sam13:13 You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you. For now the LORD would have…15: 22  Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. 23  For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king. Ps 11

V. How to profitably Wait

Jn 6:38  "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.                                                

Will surrendered (purposefully and prayerfully) to God’s perfect will

Lk 22:42 nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done

Lam 3:25 LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him 26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD

Isa 26:8 in the way of Your judgments, O LORD, we have waited for You; The desire of our soul is for Your name and for the remembrance of You.

Attitudes and Actions Aligned with His will (Great Commission Mt 28:19-20 et al) in obediently and joyfully serving others

Ps 37:9 evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth. 34 Wait on the LORD, And keep His way,

I denied (Christ all sufficient; values transformed) 2Cor 12:9 My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness

Ps 62:1 my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation. 5 my soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. Lk 9:23

Total Trust to the end with faithful perseverance Heb 11:6 without faith impossible…must believe…rewarder of those who diligently seek Him

Js 1:3  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience 4  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 6  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts… 7…not… receive anything from the Lord

Ps 39:7 And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.  40:1  I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry.

Ps 25:5  Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.

Isa 64:4 since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him

Questions for Discussion/Reflection/Response:

1. How does one balance waiting vs taking action? If God wanted us to do something to achieve His will, would He let us know what it is?

2. Does it make a difference if the fulfillment of a desire is within or outside our control? Where does planning fit in to experiencing God’s will?

3. How do you focus on Giver rather than the gift? Why is that important? How do we know our focus is off the true God and onto idols?

4. How do faith, trust and contentment fit with wanting to know God’s will? Can one be “blessable” while giving God ultimatums?

5. How can you express your “persevering blessablity” and trust to God in each major desire of your life? Rm 12:1-2