What Are You Waiting For?

"We have waited for Him" - Isaiah 25:9

Several years ago, we purchased a new Jeep for my wife. Her previous vehicle, a Nissan Pathfinder, had run its course. We had purchased it new and declared we would drive the wheels off of it. Well, the transmission had had enough about two thousand miles short of 200K. (So much for getting to see the wheels fall off!) It wasn't worth the money needed to repair or replace the tranny, so I sold it as is to a mechanic. 

I had owned Jeeps for years, and my wife Sue also loves Jeeps. We had been checking out the new JL Wranglers, and the time had come. We finally found one that had pretty much everything she wanted. So fast forward a few months, and the Jeep had spent more time in their service department than in our driveway! We had had enough. 

We met with the dealership's general manager, who was more than gracious and understanding. There was only one problem. It was in the middle of the "great supply chain shortage" of 2020 and beyond. He didn't have anything to trade out with us, but he did allow us to get on his computer and order what we wanted from the manufacturer at his cost. So I did the research and ensured everything was just as he said. 

This new Jeep wasn't "pretty much" everything she wanted; it was EVERYTHING she wanted. So we just had to wait for it to be built from the ground up and delivered. It felt like an eternity, but finally, the call came that the Jeep was on site. We later took delivery of it, and it's been spectacular. This was what we had been waiting for!

I've never met anyone who enjoys waiting for something. There are some things we can't wait for to be over and others that we can't wait for them to start. From doctor's visits to buying that new car, waiting can take its toll on a person, but what about waiting on the Lord? 

"8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken [it]. 9 And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this [is] our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this [is] the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation."

Isaiah 25:8-9 KJV (emphasis mine)

The joy and relief will be overwhelming when God finally brings about this final victory. The passage speaks of tears being wiped away from all faces, indicating that there will be no more mourning or sadness. 

In that day, the people will say, "Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation." This verse shows that those who have waited for the Lord will finally be rewarded with salvation and will be glad and rejoice in it. But let me offer you a word of caution. Waiting on God does not mean inactivity!

As a pastor, I've had the privilege of witnessing God's power in many people's lives. I've seen things that have left me in awe of God's greatness. But there's one thing I've noticed: many Christians are waiting for God to act in their lives. Waiting on The Lord doesn't mean we have permission to sit on the sideline expecting someone else to take responsibility for our spiritual journey. 

So, what are you waiting for? If you're waiting for a sign from God, let me tell you that the most significant sign you'll ever get is the cross of Calvary. If you're waiting for God to open a door, let me tell you that Jesus is the door, and He's already opened it for you. If you're waiting for God to speak to you, He's already spoken through His word. He's given us His Son, His Spirit, and His word. He's given us the power to overcome sin, sickness, and every obstacle that comes our way. We must believe, receive, and act upon what He's given us.

So, what are you waiting for? Are you waiting for God to do something that He's already done? Are you waiting for God to come down from heaven and do something miraculous in your life? While it's true that God can and does perform miracles, we shouldn't wait for them to happen before we start living the life God has called us to.

As Spirit-filled Christians, we believe in the power of the Holy Spirit to transform our lives and empower us to live a life that is pleasing to God. However, we have to be active participants in our own spiritual growth.

So, what are you waiting for? Are you waiting for the perfect moment to start praying and reading your Bible? Are you waiting for the right circumstances to start sharing your faith with others? Are you waiting for someone else to lead you in worship or to permit you to serve in your church?

The perfect moment is now. The right circumstances are the ones that you're in right now. You don't need anyone else's permission to serve or share your faith. All you need is the willingness to step out in faith and do what God has called you to do.

The Bible tells us in James 2:26 that faith without works is dead. So we have to take action and do something about our faith.

What are you waiting for? Are you waiting for someone else to tell you God's will for your life? Are you waiting for a lightning bolt from heaven to strike you and give you direction? Let me tell you that The Lord has already revealed His will for your life in His word. You don't need a special revelation to know what God wants you to do.

 "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."

Isaiah 40:31 KJV

The word wait in this passage means to expect or to look for eagerly. It's a verb, an action word. Are you waiting for the Lord? Are you anticipating His return? 

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Hebrews 9:28 KJV (emphasis mine)

We can not merely wait for The Lord to "do" something. Therefore, we must be waiting and looking for The Lord Himself. 

And one day, possibly soon, we'll see Jesus face to face and be able to say, "This is what we've waited for."