As my pastor, Dr. Bobby Roberson says all the time, “The hardest thing in the world to do is wait on God!” I echo those sentiments. Indeed, it is hard, but sweet at the same time. When you can, with the grace of God, wait on God, you can experience realms of glory not enjoyed by most Christians! This outline seeks to help us learn about the need of waiting on God!
Title: “The Need Of Waiting On God!”
Text: Psalm 40:1
“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.” Psalm 40:1 KJV
Introduction:
• In our day we are so used to having things right now! The Bible commands us as believers to wait and be patient, however, most of the time; we do not behave in this manner!
• Waiting is very important in the leadership of a home, office, or church!
• The quicker we learn this truth as a Christian, the better off we will be!
• Truly waiting on God is a virtue that is hard to find, but is a sign of true faith in God!
Proposition: There are three things I want us to see in these verses that will help us consider making changes so we can wait on God more!
I. Notice That We Should Wait Patiently On The Lord!
“I waited patiently for the LORD”
A. Critical Notes: Literally – Waiting, I waited: in other words, David waited, and waited, and waited!
B. Evidently there was some time before God lifted this conviction and cloud from David’s life!
C. David is expressing in words many of the feelings you and I have!
D. God had chastened him for various sins and he is looking for God to bring deliverance and favor back to his soul!
E. This is a picture of Christ in his passion! Our Lord was patient towards to the cross. He left himself to the Father’s will as is seen in the Garden!
F. As David, and Christ waited; you and I should wait with anticipation for God to deal with us again! Consider what Matthew Henry said in his commentary… Matthew Henry’s Commentary On The Whole Bible Volume 3 Page 315 :
His humble attendance upon God and his believing expectations from him in those depths: I waited patiently for the Lord, Ps 40:1. Waiting, I waited. He expected relief from no other than from God; the same hand that tears must heal, that smites must bind up (Ho 6:1), or it will never be done. From God he expected relief, and he was big with expectation, not doubting but it would come in due time. There is power enough in God to help the weakest, and grace enough in God to help the unworthiest, of all his people that trust in him. But he waited patiently, which intimates that the relief did not come quickly; yet he doubted not but it would come, and resolved to continue believing, and hoping, and praying, till it did come. Those whose expectation is from God may wait with assurance, but must wait with patience.
(Galatians 6:9) “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (KJV)
(Isaiah 40:31) “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (KJV)
(1 Timothy 6:11) But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (KJV)
(2 Timothy 3:10-11) But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. (KJV)
Wait in prayer. Call on God and spread the case before. Express your unstaggering confidence in him. Wait in faith, for unfaithful, untrusting waiting is but an insult to the Lord. Wait in quiet patience, not murmuring because you are under the affliction, but blessing God for it. –Spurgeon
II. Notice That We Have A God Who Pays Attention To Us!
“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me,”
A. The Scriptures say that the Lord inclined unto David, the Psalmist. Be sure that God will incline Himself to us as well!
B. It is an all consuming thought to consider that God is concerned about us!
Ps 139:17 ¶ “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!”
Look at verse 5:
“Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.” (Psalms 40:5 KJV)
C. He knows all about us, even when we do not consider this at all!
D. Though God seems far away, do not think for one moment that God has not inclined unto you!
E. We, who are saved, have a Heavenly Father that has his all seeing eye fixed upon us. We should never forget this great truth!
F. Joseph was not forgotten in his agony, the children of Israel had their prayers heard from their slavery in Egypt, the Hebrew Children were not forgotten, even though they ended up in the furnace!
(Hebrews 4:14-15) “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (KJV)
G. We should wait patiently, but we should also wait because God has inclined himself our direction! His ear is bent toward us! He has His face looking in our direction!
III. Notice That God Honors Those Who Wait!
“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.”
A. What a great statement that He HEARD MY CRY!
B. God hears all prayers, but He is only obligated himself to the prayers of His children.
C. David received his deliverance from his situation and is seen in the next few verses:
“He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.” (Psalms 40:2-4 KJV)
D. Do you remember the day when He heard your prayer of repentance? How fresh it was, how new you may have felt?
E. There is an old Jewish Proverb, “Good things come to those who wait!”
F. We should wait patiently, we should wait because He is inclined our way, but also because He has heard us!
G. We pray for direction, deliverance, necessities, and a host of other things, but in our prayers and praying we must wait for God to answer, and we know He will answer!
“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” (1 John 5:14-15 KJV)
H. We should continue to wait on God with an attitude of prayer on our lips! Consider the following:
Quotes:
Spread out your petition before God, and then say, “Thy will, not mine be done.” The sweetest lesson I have learned in God’s school is to let the Lord choose for me. –Moody
Some people think God does not like to be troubled with our constant coming and asking. The only way to trouble God is not to come at all. –Moody
Prayer is the chief agency and activity whereby men align themselves with God’s purpose. Prayer does not consist in battering the walls of heaven for personal benefits or the success of our plans. Rather it is the committing of ourselves for the carrying out of His purposes. It is a telephone call to headquarters for orders. It is not bending God’s will to ours, but our will to God’s. In prayer, we tap vast reservoirs of spiritual power whereby God can find fuller entrance into the hearts of men. –Oldham
Sometimes God delays the answer to our prayer in final form until we have time to build up the strength, accumulate the knowledge, or fashion the character that would make it possible for Him to say “yes” to what we ask. –Pearson
Conclusion:
• God wants His children to wait on Him!
• We should wait patiently, wait because we are in the center of His attention, and we should wait because He has heard our prayers and continually hears our prayers!
• We should endeavor to wait on our Lord and not get ahead of Him and His timing!
• I hope that every Christian will somehow learn this valuable truth and apply it to their lives!
• For the Sinner, I hope that they will be saved before it is too late!
