Sermon Notes
Practical Lessons for Understanding the Word of God
Waiting on God’s Timing
KEY PASSAGE: Psalm 27:11-14 | SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE: Psalm 25:1-3; 37:1, 7-9, 34; 40:1; 62:1; 106:6-15;
119:74, 81; 130:5 | Isaiah 64:4 | 2 Corinthians 5:17
and running from King Saul who was continually
SUMMARY
trying to kill him.
Of all the principles I’ve learned in the n God uses delays to prepare us for His plans. David
Scriptures, the one that stands out to me the learned valuable lessons during those difficult
most is the concept of waiting upon the Lord. years that equipped him for his future role as king.
In the same way, God uses our hurts, losses, and
This is a critical issue because God’s will includes His
disappointments to produce character qualities we’ll
timing. He has an awesome plan mapped out for each
need to accomplish His plan for our lives.
of us, but He only reveals it one step at a time. When
we follow His plan, He is glorified, and we are fulfilled. n Waiting on God is an active stillness. It doesn’t
However, if we don’t seek the Lord’s guidance each mean we abruptly stop all activity and do nothing.
day, we’ll end up automatically following our own When the Lord is bringing about a change in our
course. As a result, we’ll be confused and dissatisfied lives, He wants us to continue being productive
because we’ve missed what God intended to give us while watching and waiting for further direction.
and do through us. n Waiting on God is purposeful. We often think the
Lord’s plan for our lives is on the other side of the
delay, but in His eyes, the process of waiting is an
SERMON POINTS
essential part of His purpose. Knowing this allows
The wisest thing we can do is to start every day us to wait with a sense of direction and expectancy.
by connecting with almighty God. n God knows when we’re willing to accept His
answers. If we’ll listen, He will reveal the next step
Although we are already united with the Father
when we’re ready. If He delays, we must recognize
through Jesus Christ, we still need to communicate
that His timing is perfect, and the best doesn’t
with Him daily in order to develop an intimate
always come quickly.
relationship. Instead of only coming to Him in times
of emergency or need, we should begin each morning We are frequently admonished in Scripture to
by asking Him to help us walk wisely, not lagging wait on the Lord.
behind or getting ahead of His plan.
This is His usual procedure with us and not an unkind
What does it mean to wait on the Lord? or unnecessary hardship. We read about this in:
David was a man who chose to live according to the n Psalm 25:1-3. God promises that we will not be
Lord’s plan and schedule. Although he was anointed disappointed or ashamed when we trust in Him.
at the age of sixteen, he didn’t actually become the n Psalm 37:1, 7-9, 34. The Lord tells us not to fret
King of Israel until fourteen years later. God’s promise because He is watching over us. If we’re willing to
was sure, but the timing was unknown to David. He obediently walk with Him according to His timing,
had to wait, and much of that time was spent hiding He will provide everything we need. Even if we
SERMON NOTES | SN130825
haven’t been following God’s plan for our lives, He’s by faith, trusting God’s timing instead of giving in
willing to pick us up right where we are, forgive us to immediate self-gratification.
for all the wasted time, and give us a fresh start. n To sift the motives for our desires. Sometimes we
n Psalm 40:1. God isn’t trying to keep His plan secret. pray selfishly, only to discover how foolish we were
When we don’t know what to do next, He hears our in our request. God’s delay in answering our prayers
cries for help and shows us the way. gives us time to see situations from His viewpoint.
n Isaiah 64:4. No matter what we are facing, we
How should we wait?
can know that God always acts on behalf of those
who wait for Him. Since He’s the omniscient, The Lord wants us to benefit from our times of
omnipotent, and sovereign God of the universe, He waiting by responding correctly. Instead of becoming
can do what no one else can, and He always works impatient, nervous, frustrated, or miserable, we should
for our good. follow these biblical examples of how to wait:
n Patiently. “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for
Why does God require that we wait?
Him” (Ps. 37:7).
The Lord’s reasons for delaying are always for our n Quietly. “My soul waits in silence for God only”
good, in order: (Ps. 62:1).
n To receive His clear direction. Not knowing n Trustingly. “Do not fret” (Ps. 37:7).
the future, we may sometimes become impatient
n Expectantly. “I would have despaired unless I had
thinking we’ll lose out on something good if we
believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord”
don’t act now. However, what God has planned for
(Ps. 27:13).
our lives is already encircled with our names on it.
There’s no way we can lose anything if we follow
n Steadfastly and courageously. “Wait for the Lord;
Him. He has given us His Word and His Spirit to be strong and let your heart take courage” (Ps. 27:14).
teach and guide us. By heeding His instruction, n Standing on God’s Word. “I wait for the Lord . . .
we are conformed to the image of Christ and and in His word do I hope” (Ps. 130:5).
empowered to walk obediently in His will and
according to His schedule. RESPONSE
n To keep us in step with His timing. The Lord is
never in a hurry. He created time and has planned
n How would your life change if each morning you
everything perfectly. However, He doesn’t reveal asked the Lord specifically to guide you into His
everything to us when we want it. Even when we’ve plan for that day?
asked according to His will, and He’s given us a n When God delays in acting or intervening in your
confirmation in our spirits about something He life, how do you typically respond? How would
wants to do in our lives, we can’t presume to know understanding His purposes for the waiting period
when it will happen. Sometimes He holds it back change your response?
because we aren’t ready to receive it. That’s when n Think about your most recent experience of waiting
we must trust that His ways and timing are best. upon the Lord. What do you think He was trying to
n To test our faith. We already have all the blessings teach you during that time?
that God has promised us, but sometimes He
restrains them until we trust Him. He wants us to
believe Him even when we can’t clearly see the
To purchase this message on CD or DVD,
details of those blessings. please visit store.intouch.org or call 800-789-1473.
n To strengthen our faith. Waiting teaches us to walk To download this Sermon Note, visit intouch.org/sermonnotes
intouch.org
Copyright © 2014 by In Touch Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved. In Touch grants permission to print for personal use only.
SERMON NOTES | SN130825
