Waiting is part of life.

There’s a difference between waiting and waiting well.

Waiting is simply the passage of time. Waiting for that clock to run down.

Waiting well is a posture of faith, trust, and perseverance. Waiting Well is not wasted time – it’s shaping time!

OPENING SCRIPTURE:

“WAIT PATIENTLY FOR THE LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, WAIT PATIENTLY FOR THE LORD.” (Psalm 27:14 NLT)

• Important enough to be repeated this twice: “Wait patiently for the Lord”
• David wrote this psalm during a season of trouble.
• Psalm 27 reflects this tension: Afraid yet full of faith, pressed yet prayerful, hunted yet hopeful.

The Lord is my light and my salvation – so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?

When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. (Psalm 27:1-3 NLT)

• He could have griped and complained but instead he chose to wait well
• Waiting Well is a choice
• While we wait, God is working: on us and aligning circumstances

#1: He is working on us

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. (Romans 5:3-4 NLT)

#2 He is aligning circumstances

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28 NLT)

#1 Waiting Well: Seek God’s Presence

Be still in the PRESENCE OF THE LORD, and WAIT PATIENTLY FOR HIM TO ACT. (Psalm 37:7 NLT)

• Waiting well happens when you get in the presence of God.
• Waiting well: turning to God in prayer, worship, and dependence.

The Story of Hannah: Prayer, worship, dependence.

Fill up waiting time with worship, prayer, and scripture. Do it with all your heart!

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13 NIV)

_______________________________________________#2 Waiting Well: Serve Faithfully in the Present

SO LET’S NOT GET TIRED OF DOING WHAT IS GOOD. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. (Galatians 6:9 NLT)

• Don’t quit on today while you wait on tomorrow.
• Keep doing what God has already asked you to do today.

The Story of Joseph: He waited well by serving faithfully. From being a slave to prison to pharaoh’s court, he served faithfully in the present.

Waiting well is about serving faithfully even when the timing seems slow.

_______________________________________________

#3 Waiting Well: Stand Courageously in Hope

Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations … And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.

Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. (Romans 4:18-21 NLT)

• Abraham had the courage to stand in hope when there was no reason to wait.

Waiting well means to trust in God to renew your strength

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 NLT)

When we stand courageously in hope, we are not just waiting for the promise—we are living as though the promise is already sure.

_______________________________________________

CONCLUSION

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message.