May 25th, 2025
by Rose Marie Abraham
by Rose Marie Abraham
Waiting on the Lord: The Power of Divine Promises
In our fast-paced world, waiting is often seen as a waste of time. We're conditioned to seek instant gratification, quick fixes, and immediate results. But what if waiting could be one of the most powerful spiritual practices we engage in? What if, in our waiting, we encounter the very promises of God?
The concept of "waiting on the Lord" is a profound spiritual truth that challenges our human nature. It's easy to take matters into our own hands, to rush ahead of God's timing, or to give up when things don't happen as quickly as we'd like. But there's a divine invitation in waiting - an invitation to trust, to hope, and to experience God's faithfulness in a deeper way.
Consider the disciples after Jesus' resurrection. They had witnessed the most horrific and brutal death of their teacher, their rabbi, their Jesus. Fear, shame, and anxiety gripped their hearts. Yet, in this pivotal moment, Jesus gave them a powerful instruction: "Do not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father."
This command to wait wasn't just about passing time. It was an invitation to anticipate something extraordinary - the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised, "John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." This promise was meant to give them hope, to anchor their souls in the midst of uncertainty.
Waiting on God's promises requires us to consider three crucial elements:
1. The Promise Maker: Who is making the promise?
2. The Promise Itself: What exactly is being promised?
3. The Recipient of the Promise: To whom is the promise given?
When we examine these elements, we begin to understand why waiting on God is not only worthwhile but essential to our spiritual growth.
First, let's consider the Promise Maker. In the case of the disciples, and in our case today, the Promise Maker is none other than Jesus Christ himself. This is the same Jesus who spoke light into existence, who separated the waters to create the sky, who formed humanity from the dust of the ground. As it's written in Numbers 23:19, "God is not a man that he should lie, or a son of man that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?"
The character and power of the Promise Maker give weight and credibility to His promises. When we truly understand who God is - His faithfulness, His power, His love - waiting on His promises becomes an act of trust rather than a burden.
Next, we must consider the promises themselves. Throughout Scripture, we find numerous promises from God that give us hope and assurance:
- The promise of salvation and eternal life (John 3:16)
- The promise of God's presence (Matthew 28:20)
- The promise of forgiveness (1 John 1:9)
- The promise of peace (John 14:27)
- The promise of provision (Philippians 4:19)
- The promise of strength and help (Isaiah 41:10)
These aren't empty words or vague assurances. They are rock-solid promises from the Creator of the universe, backed by His unchanging character and unfailing love.
Finally, we must consider the recipients of these promises - us. In John 3:16, we read that God's love and the promise of eternal life are for "whosoever believes in Him." This inclusive language reminds us that God's promises are not reserved for a select few, but are available to all who put their faith in Him.
Understanding these three elements - the Promise Maker, the promises themselves, and our position as recipients - can transform our perspective on waiting. Instead of seeing it as a passive or frustrating experience, waiting becomes an active posture of faith and expectation.
But how do we wait well? How do we cultivate patience and trust in the midst of life's challenges? Here are a few practical suggestions:
1. Meditate on God's character: Remind yourself daily of who God is - His power, His love, His faithfulness. The more we focus on His nature, the easier it becomes to trust His timing.
2. Recall past faithfulness: Remember times when God has come through for you in the past. These memories can serve as anchors for your faith during times of waiting.
3. Stay in community: Surround yourself with other believers who can encourage you and remind you of God's promises when you're tempted to give up.
4. Engage in purposeful action: Waiting doesn't mean doing nothing. Use this time to prepare, to grow, to serve others. The disciples waited in Jerusalem, but they also prayed and fellowshipped together.
5. Keep your eyes on the promise: Don't let current circumstances cloud your vision of what God has promised. Like Abraham, who "believed against hope" (Romans 4:18), hold fast to God's word.
As we learn to wait on the Lord, we position ourselves to receive not just the fulfillment of His promises, but a deeper, more intimate relationship with the Promise Maker Himself. In our waiting, we often discover that God is doing a work in us that's just as important as the thing we're waiting for.
The Psalmist encourages us with these words: "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord" (Psalm 27:14). This is more than just good advice; it's an invitation to experience God's faithfulness in a profound way.
So, whatever you're facing today - whether it's uncertainty about the future, a challenging situation that seems hopeless, or a long-held dream that hasn't yet materialized - remember that waiting on the Lord is not wasted time. It's in these moments of waiting that our faith is strengthened, our character is refined, and we're prepared to receive the fullness of God's promises.
May we all learn to wait with expectation, knowing that the One who promised is faithful, and He will surely do it.
In our fast-paced world, waiting is often seen as a waste of time. We're conditioned to seek instant gratification, quick fixes, and immediate results. But what if waiting could be one of the most powerful spiritual practices we engage in? What if, in our waiting, we encounter the very promises of God?
The concept of "waiting on the Lord" is a profound spiritual truth that challenges our human nature. It's easy to take matters into our own hands, to rush ahead of God's timing, or to give up when things don't happen as quickly as we'd like. But there's a divine invitation in waiting - an invitation to trust, to hope, and to experience God's faithfulness in a deeper way.
Consider the disciples after Jesus' resurrection. They had witnessed the most horrific and brutal death of their teacher, their rabbi, their Jesus. Fear, shame, and anxiety gripped their hearts. Yet, in this pivotal moment, Jesus gave them a powerful instruction: "Do not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father."
This command to wait wasn't just about passing time. It was an invitation to anticipate something extraordinary - the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised, "John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." This promise was meant to give them hope, to anchor their souls in the midst of uncertainty.
Waiting on God's promises requires us to consider three crucial elements:
1. The Promise Maker: Who is making the promise?
2. The Promise Itself: What exactly is being promised?
3. The Recipient of the Promise: To whom is the promise given?
When we examine these elements, we begin to understand why waiting on God is not only worthwhile but essential to our spiritual growth.
First, let's consider the Promise Maker. In the case of the disciples, and in our case today, the Promise Maker is none other than Jesus Christ himself. This is the same Jesus who spoke light into existence, who separated the waters to create the sky, who formed humanity from the dust of the ground. As it's written in Numbers 23:19, "God is not a man that he should lie, or a son of man that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?"
The character and power of the Promise Maker give weight and credibility to His promises. When we truly understand who God is - His faithfulness, His power, His love - waiting on His promises becomes an act of trust rather than a burden.
Next, we must consider the promises themselves. Throughout Scripture, we find numerous promises from God that give us hope and assurance:
- The promise of salvation and eternal life (John 3:16)
- The promise of God's presence (Matthew 28:20)
- The promise of forgiveness (1 John 1:9)
- The promise of peace (John 14:27)
- The promise of provision (Philippians 4:19)
- The promise of strength and help (Isaiah 41:10)
These aren't empty words or vague assurances. They are rock-solid promises from the Creator of the universe, backed by His unchanging character and unfailing love.
Finally, we must consider the recipients of these promises - us. In John 3:16, we read that God's love and the promise of eternal life are for "whosoever believes in Him." This inclusive language reminds us that God's promises are not reserved for a select few, but are available to all who put their faith in Him.
Understanding these three elements - the Promise Maker, the promises themselves, and our position as recipients - can transform our perspective on waiting. Instead of seeing it as a passive or frustrating experience, waiting becomes an active posture of faith and expectation.
But how do we wait well? How do we cultivate patience and trust in the midst of life's challenges? Here are a few practical suggestions:
1. Meditate on God's character: Remind yourself daily of who God is - His power, His love, His faithfulness. The more we focus on His nature, the easier it becomes to trust His timing.
2. Recall past faithfulness: Remember times when God has come through for you in the past. These memories can serve as anchors for your faith during times of waiting.
3. Stay in community: Surround yourself with other believers who can encourage you and remind you of God's promises when you're tempted to give up.
4. Engage in purposeful action: Waiting doesn't mean doing nothing. Use this time to prepare, to grow, to serve others. The disciples waited in Jerusalem, but they also prayed and fellowshipped together.
5. Keep your eyes on the promise: Don't let current circumstances cloud your vision of what God has promised. Like Abraham, who "believed against hope" (Romans 4:18), hold fast to God's word.
As we learn to wait on the Lord, we position ourselves to receive not just the fulfillment of His promises, but a deeper, more intimate relationship with the Promise Maker Himself. In our waiting, we often discover that God is doing a work in us that's just as important as the thing we're waiting for.
The Psalmist encourages us with these words: "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord" (Psalm 27:14). This is more than just good advice; it's an invitation to experience God's faithfulness in a profound way.
So, whatever you're facing today - whether it's uncertainty about the future, a challenging situation that seems hopeless, or a long-held dream that hasn't yet materialized - remember that waiting on the Lord is not wasted time. It's in these moments of waiting that our faith is strengthened, our character is refined, and we're prepared to receive the fullness of God's promises.
May we all learn to wait with expectation, knowing that the One who promised is faithful, and He will surely do it.
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