Riverside Community Church Blog

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Waiting…what a word! I read a few definitions of the word WAITING and the one that stood out to me the most is “to look forward expectantly.” If you’re anything like me I have a “love-hate” relationship with periods of waiting. I LOVE seasons of waiting because I know and believe that during that time God is preparing me for something great and wants to do a mighty work through me! In Malachi 3:3 it says “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord.” Refinement…not always a word we get excited about when it pertains to our lives, but WOW how God can use us when we are willing to go through the refiner’s fire!
On the flip side, waiting can cause me to worry which produces anxiety and anger, as well as creates fear and self-doubt (none of which are pleasing to God). We are reminded in God’s Word that we are to “cast all our anxieties on Him, because he cares for us.” (1Peter5:7). Worrying while we wait for God is not how we are called to wait. Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” Pretty clear right? So all of this being said, how does God call us to wait?
As we walk through different verses in the Bible, we are going to learn how we are called to wait as followers of Christ. What does it look like to “wait well,” so to speak, and please God during that time.

--“Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I will bring my requests to you and wait EXPECTANTLY.” (Psalms 5:3 NLT)

----“Wait PATIENTLY for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait PATIENTLY for the Lord.” (Psalms 27:14 NLT)

--“Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait PATIENTLY for him to act.” (Psalms 37:7 NLT)

--“I waited PATIENTLY for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.” (Psalms 40:1 NLT)

--“But if we look forward to something we don’t have yet, we must wait PATIENTLY and CONFIDENTLY.” (Romans 8:25 NLT)

--“Let all that I am wait QUIETLY before God, for my hope is in Him.” (Psalms 62:5 NLT)

--“But we who live by the Spirit EAGERLY wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us.” (Galatians 5:5 NLT)
EXPECTANTLY, PATIENTLY, CONFIDENTLY, QUIETLY, EAGERLY…this is how we are called to wait on the Lord. Waiting is not a passive activity. We are to be seeking the Lord as we wait, growing into a deeper and deeper understanding of who our Father, drawing closer to Him, being thankful along the way for His love and the love of our Savior Jesus Christ.
If you find yourself right now in a season of waiting on the Lord, here are some questions to ask yourself…

--What is God trying to teach me in the midst of the waiting? Is He preparing me for something greater?

--Where do I see God in the midst of this season of waiting?

--Am I committed to honoring God while I wait? And how do I do this?

--Are my actions and attitude congruent with how the Bible encourages me to wait?
I pray that you seek God and that you place your faith in our Savior Jesus Christ. I pray that you take a few minutes to stop and reflect on God’s goodness and faithfulness.

 

I encourage you to take a listen to this song and be still and praise Him while you wait. 

1 Comment

Good timing to read this, since I am struggling with what is next for me, are you listening to me Lord. Looking for direction in my life. Great job Bridget.

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