Waiting on the Lord

Isaiah 40:31

The verse for our sermon is a great verse as well as being a verse that is well known and has been used many times for encouragement throughout the ages. But if we look at the context of the chapter it may help us to get a better understanding of why waiting on the Lord is such a valuable practice.

Why does the Lord make us wait?

 1)  To show us what we truly are (Isaiah 40:6-8)

• Many times God wants us to hit a wall so that we will have no choice but wait upon him.
• The children of Israel at the red sea are a good example (Exodus 14:13)

2)  So we can learn the word of God (Isaiah 40:21)

• It is hard to learn when we are frantically running around and not standing still.
• Saul is a good example (1 Samuel 9:27)

3)  To get orders (Numbers 9:8)

• God had Israel stand still to give them their orders regarding the Passover.

4)  For the benefit of others (Joshua 3:8)

• Here the priest had to stand still in the river Jordan with the Ark of the Covenant so that the waters would stop and the children of Israel could cross.

Why should we wait upon the Lord?

 1)  God does not lie (Isaiah 40:8)

• Waiting upon the Lord is not always an easy task but no matter how hard it may seem we can trust his word (Psalm 130:5-6)

2)  God has no equal (Isaiah 40:25)

• It is amazing how much faith and patience man can put in things of this world but they are simply unwilling to wait on God, who clearly has no equal (Psalm 33:10)

3)  God can do anything and understands everything (Isaiah 40:28)

• Whatever your situation God understands and as the creator of the universe he can fix it!

The reward of waiting upon the Lord:

 As we see in Isaiah 40:31; Strength renewed, Ability to carry on, and stamina to finish the course.