Wait on the Lord.

August 22, 2004

Introduction

In (Psa 27:14 NKJV). we have these words: “Wait² on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen¹ your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” Twice in this verse, the word “wait” appears. Twice the expression is “Wait on the Lord!” The promise is He will strengthen our hearts. The word, strengthen could be translated:

אמץ 'âmats

BDB Definition:

¹1) to be strong, alert, courageous, brave, stout, bold, solid, hard

²1) to wait, look for, hope, expect

1b1) to wait or look eagerly for

1b2) to lie in wait for

1b3) to wait for, linger for

This word which is translated wait does not carry any of the idea of wait as a waiter or waitress waits on us in a restaurant. It is waiting involving time. It is to be waiting in faith; that is, with hope, or expectation.

Teach Me To Go Slow

Teach me to go slow, Lord,

And learn to wait on You -

Don't let me jump ahead

While wondering what to do.

Teach me to go slow, Lord;

Each promise You'll fulfill –

You answer in Your time

And in Your perfect will.

Teach me to go slow, Lord,

And calm my anxious heart;

Keep my eyes on You and

Don't let the teardrops start.

Teach me to go slow, Lord,

Reach out and take my hand -

For I am deeply troubled

And just don't understand.

Teach me to go slow, Lord,

Take one day at a time -

Don't let me fall, but lead me on

To peaceful heights sublime.

Teach me to go slow, Lord,

Please work this out for me -

When all is right once more,

Let me give praise to Thee.

Teach me to go slow, Lord,

And help me see above

This dark cloud till I can gaze...

Into Your face of love.

Denise A. DeWald

Body

I. The idea of waiting on the Lord is taught in several passages.

A. The 25^th Psalm deals with God caring for those Who wait on Him.

(Psa 25:1-4 NKJV) To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul. {2} O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed¹; Let not my enemies triumph over me. {3} Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause. {4} Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths.

¹ to be ashamed; also (by impl.) to be disappointed, (put to) confusion), become dry,

1. May we not become dry waiting for God.

B. The 37^th Psalm tells us not to be too concerned about the wicked and his prosperity.

(Psa 37:7-9 NKJV) Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. {8} Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret¹; it only causes harm. {9} For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth.

חרה chârâh

BDB Definition:

1) to be hot, furious, burn, become angry, be kindled

1a) (Qal) to burn, kindle (anger)

1b) (Niphal) to be angry with, be incensed

1c) (Hiphil) to burn, kindle

1d) (Hithpael) to heat oneself in vexation

(Psa 37:34 NKJV) Wait on the LORD, And keep His way, And He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.

C. Isaiah says that the Lord will strengthen those who wait on Him.

(Isa 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.

D. In our waiting for the Lord, there needs to also be hope for better things.

(Lam 3:25-26 NKJV) The 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.

E. We need to wait in hope for our redemption.

(Psa 130:5-7 KJV) I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. {6} My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. {7} Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.

II. Sometimes men have run ahead of God and gotten in trouble.

A. Abraham did not wait long enough on God.

1. Sarah came up with a plan to “help God out.”

2. Their problems started right away.

B. King Saul had a hard time waiting on God.

(1 Sam 13:8-14 NKJV) Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. {9} So Saul said, "Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me." And he offered the burnt offering. {10} Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him. {11} And Samuel said, "What have you done?" And Saul said, "When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, {12} "then I said, 'The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the LORD.' Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering." {13} And Samuel said to Saul, "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 established your kingdom over Israel forever. {14} "But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you."

C. Moses didn’t wait for God’s call as to how to deliver His people.

1. The result was 40 years of time herding sheep.

2. God only knows how things would have been had he waited on God’s instructions.

III. How are we to wait on God?

A. Our waiting is to be in hope.

B. Our waiting is to be quietly – without complaint.

C. Our waiting is to be a guided waiting, using His word.

D. We must walk by faith and leave things in His hands that are beyond our control.

E. We would like for God to heal all of our diseases immediately as Jesus did when He was here on earth, but His will is, wait.

F. Once again, it is the challenge of God’s time and ours.

(2 Pet 3:9 NASB) The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

IV. What can we do while we wait.

A. We can pray.

1. John did that.

(Rev 22:20 NKJV) He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

B. We can Read and study.

C. We can work for the salvation of those who are not ready.

D. We can be watchful and vigilant that His coming will not catch us unprepared.

Conclusion

I. All of us are going to have to wait for the Lord.

II. While we are waiting let us ask God for help with the problems we encounter in the waiting.

III. In the waiting may we not grow weary in well doing, know that in due season we will reap if we faint not.

(Heb 10:36-39 NKJV) For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: {37} "For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. {38} Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." {39} But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

IV. Are you ready to meet the Lord?

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