Waiting on God

I am starting a series to deal with something that, if we’re honest, we all deal with understanding, at times—the Ways of God. It seems, that the hardships of our own lives, and the brutality and pains and sufferings and injustices of the world sometimes make us want to ask God why. Lord, why to the righteous suffer, the innocent perish, the good die needlessly, violence spreads, darkness seems to win at every turn? These are questions about the ways of God. For centuries believers have attempted to understand them. The Bible gives us clues to their search:

Ro 11:33 :
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Ps 25:4 -
Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.

Isaiah 55:8-9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

One of the difficult ways of God is found in the opening words of David’s psalm 40:, verse 1:

I waited patiently for the Lord…

Waiting on God—when God brings or allows something into our lives that is so far beyond us, so far outside our power to do anything about, and all we can do is wait on Him—that is difficult. What could He be wanting to accomplish forcing us to wait on Him?

We can get a glimpse of David’s understanding as he relates his experience and what God taught him during a difficult time in his life:

1. He first makes Reference to His Problem
He uses figurative language to describe more how he was feeling and how it affected him, rather than describing the problem itself. We do that—we use colors—I’m feeling blue, or directions—I’m really upbeat, or I’m down today…. He says he was in pain and terror and cried out to the Lord; he describes his situation as equal to being in a horrible pit, standing in miry clay. Those are very descriptive—horrible pit literally is “pit of roaring”, and describes a hole dug in the ground where prisoners of that day were often kept. It had one hole at the top that was used for both door and window. During a heavy rain, the water would pour in with a thunderous noise, a roaring noise, and the flooding water would rise and eventually seep out, leaving a muddy, slimy, miry pig pen of a place. That is what David felt like he was experiencing in his life. The flood waters of his difficult circumstances were whirling around him, the thunder of the roaring water pouring in upon him, no escape, no hope—nothing but the muck and mire of a horrible situation. He wanted out and saw no hope of escape. It also was used to describe the emotions and fear and anxiety of an approaching army—the thunder of the army’s horses’ feet approaching. Whatever his problem, it stirred in him deep feelings of hopeless, isolation, and despair.

2. He then reveals his Response to His Problem

Very prominently, the very first words out of his mouth, here is what he did about his problem—“I waited patiently…”

What can learn in those times it seems God has benched us like a coach, then forgot we are not in the game. When He has put us on a shelf—the inactivity, the sense of His blessings and presence are gone? Is there anything we can learn from Scriptures? What is He doing? What can waiting on Him do

a. Mold our Personal Character—it can crush out of us selfishness, pride, self reliance, ungodly ambition, bringing us to the very end of ourselves—giving up our hopes, dreams, ambitions to His ways. An example is found in 1 Sam 13:8—Saul waited the minimal amount of time, and then took matters into his own hands, offering a sacrifice to God knowing he didn’t have the right to do that—it was to be done by a priest. But his circumstances were demanding and stressful, and someone had to do something. Samuel hadn’t come like he said he was, and the enemy was about to attact… He did this as if to say “hey, I gave God a chance, He didn’t come through like He said, so I’ve got to do it myself…” What arrogance, and pride.

b. Modify our Misperceptions of God Luke 24: 17-21: 17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
We thought this was the one… He was the Messiah we had been waiting on, but we were wrong.. We’re quiting, going home, start our search again. Maybe another will come along….

The were dead wrong in their evaluation of God and His plan for them. These 3 days of silence, and inactivity from God were being used by Him to show them they were wrong. The pain would go away eventually, and the truth dawned on them. They went back to the disciples and said, “We’ve seen Him, He is indeed risen….” Their misperception had been corrected.

c. Accomplish a Higher Purpose of God one that is different than we could ever imagine. To allow us to see Him provide for us or do the supernatural that would not have been possible any other way. Mary and Martha were desperate when they sent word that their brother Lazarus was sick. Jesus delayed in coming to them 3 days, it comes to be seen, so that Lazarus could die.
John 11 reveals the story of Lazarus: "This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it." (v. 4) It doesn’t mean it is not going to be difficult, or very painful. It was painful to his family, and to God. The only place we find it said that Jesus wept is here. He was grieved by this death also, but had a purpose higher then they could imagine through their immediate grief. They were about to see the glory of God like no one else had seen. But it came through disappointment and sorrow.

d. Equip for Future ministry/broader influence for His kingdom’s work. This is similar to a, but greater. There can be sin in my life that He needs to reveal and crush out of me, and that be the ultimate goal—Christlikeness. But at times, especially in a prolonged time of waiting, there is more He is up to:
Paul discovered this and described his intense period of begging God for something that God was just not going to do… 7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for R479 Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. There are things in your future, God was telling Paul, that you will need my special grace.

Am I supposed to serve the Lord?

Have you ever been preoccupied with reading or watching tv while someone was talking to you? You hear them, but not paying attention thinking they are talking to someone else...? Then they get your attention by yelling your name, and you say "Oh, are you talking to me?"

We can be like that also with God.... As He speaks sometimes we are preoccuppied or our ears are plugged up and we are not hearing Him. That is certainly true in the area of serving God.

So here is a question for you--

Are you and I Supposed to Serve the Lord?
2 Cor. 4:1

We are tempted not to get into the fray, not to join the work, not to involve ourself in kingdom's work if we...

1. Misunderstand Individual "Call"

Many envision a dramatic burning bush experience like Moses had; a bright light strike down on the road like Paul had on the road to Damascus. We imagine that since we have never had such a divine or supernatural experience like that, God must not calling us.

But we misunderstand the concept of Call if we think so. We think preachers are called, missionaries are called, but "regular people" just go about their lives the best they can, giving God the time and energy and resources they can.... But the Bible helps clarify that misunderstanding, clearly letting us know we are all called by God...

"we have this ministry, as we received mercy..." verse 1

"God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord..." 1 Cor 1:9
"among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ..." Rom 1:6
"all things work together for good...for those who are called according to His purpose..." Rom. 8:28

Much more often in the Bible, (92 times to be exact) we find this expression-- "and the word of the Lord came to" a certain person. God speaks and lets us know what His desire if for us. And that is our calling, our invitation. He invites us to salvation, He invites us to grow in Him, and He invites us to serve Him.

If we are "saved" then we are called.

2. Misinterpret Biblical "Ministry"

"we have this ministry..." v. 1

the word ministry and serve come from the same greek word. Ministry is not for the pastor and others we hire to do it. Ministry is what we all as God's children are called to do-- we are to serve Him by serving others.

I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, ... that they have addicted themselves to the ministry (service) of the saints..." 1 Cor. 16:15

"Now about spiritual gifts...All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines." 1 Cor 12:11

" As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. " 1 Peter 4:10

We have been given a gift to invest in service for Him.

Much of our spiritual growth comes as we

Discover
Develop
and

Deploy ... our gift for God's service

3. Mistake Inevetible Opposition

"the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving... " v. 4

Many are on the "sidelines", watching rather than serving because they have experienced some pain or disappointment in past attempts at service. Look at what Paul, the greatest missionary ever, experienced in his life of service:

"we are afflicted... perplexed...stuck down...constantly being delivered over to death..." v. 8-11
Our service won't be without pain. Others will disappoint us, let us down; they won't always be nice to us, even other Christians can be rude or disrepectful and ugly.

Satan, the god of this world knows if he can get us discouraged, he has won. He will stop us from reaching and touching those we are called to reach and touch. So he is ever active, trying to get at us to hurt or discourage us or cause us to lose heart.

4. Misplace Personal Trust

Sometimes, even our successes can be our downfall in the ministry. As we serve the Lord, we must ever be on guard for pride-- look what I've done, look at all I've accomplished.... At times it's not the failures and disappointments that get us, it is the successes. So Paul share's his secret against this temptation-- ever realizing he's not the one, but God doing it through him:

"for we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord..." v. 5
"but we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves..." v. 7

that's how we can serve the Lord fruitfully, without losing heart.

What about you? In this thing called service, remember, He's talking to you.