WAITING ON GOD

CYCLES OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE

The natural life is full of natural cycles. There is a cycle of sleeping and waking, childhood, teens and adulthood, etc. The spiritual world has many cycles. Even Satan attacks in cycles. Paul speaks about being able to stand on the evil day (Ephesians 6:13). Satan cannot attack us unceasingly. He plans his attacks in cycles. When his temptation of Jesus failed, he left seeking an opportune time to try again (Luke 4:13).

TYPES OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE CYCLES

Isaiah 40:31; Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint.There are about four spiritual life cycles;

1.   Wait

2.   Flying

3.   Run

4.   Walk

These cycles are frequently repeated in our spiritual lives. There are times when we need to wait on God to receive fresh direction and vision. From those times we come forth with God’s vision for our lives. As we implement it, we need to learn how to run and also how to walk with the vision.

The Art of Waiting on God

There are five main Hebrew words that have been translated as ‘wait’ in

our Bibles. They each carry a different meaning. They are as follows:

1. Chakah - to wait earnestly (Isaiah 64:4; Habakkuk 2:3).

                - to wait intensely serious for receive something

                - to a greater extent or more intensely than before

                - sincerely and serious in intention to receive something

2. Dumiyyah - to wait in silence (Psalms 62:1; 65:1).

3. Daman - to stand still (Psalms 62:5).

4. Tsaba - to serve (Num. 8:24, 25).

5. Qavah - to wait with hope, to be bound (Psalms 25:3; 37:9; 69:6;        Lamentations 3:25; Isaiah 40:31; 49:23).

The word ‘wait’ in Isayah 40:31: The root meaning of the word ‘qavah’ is ‘to be gathered together’ or ‘to be bound.’ The word ‘qavah’ has been translated as ‘gathered together’

• it is staying in His presence, seeking to be bound in perfect union together.
• Times of waiting should be times of intimate bonding to the Lord; where He abides in us and we abide in Him.
• Our bonding together with the Lord should be as the gathering of the waters into one (Genesis 1:9).

(a)       Why Do we have to wait on God?

(i)                 Being Renewed by God

The word ‘renew’ comes from the Hebrew word ‘chalaph’ which have four special meanings. Each of these meanings explains the process of renewing that takes place as we wait on the Lord. The four possible translations of the word ‘chalaph’ are as follows:

1. Remove or strike through (Isaiah 2:18; Judges 5:26).

2. Change (Genesis 35:2; 41:14; 2 Samuel 12:20; Psalms 102:26).

3. Go forward (1 Samuel 10:3).

4. Grow up (Psalms 90:5, 6).

When we wait on God and become bound in one with Him, four things take place as we are renewed:

• our sharp edges are removed
• we receive an exchange of God’s strength for our strength
• we receive a new vision to go forward
• and we grow spiritually in our times of intimacy with Him

(ii)              Waiting on God-“He Acts on our Behalf”
Are you waiting for God? He acts on our behalf as we wait for Him. “Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him” (Isaiah 64:4).

(iii)            Waiting on God – “He Strengthens Us”
As you are waiting for God, He strengthens you. “But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings as eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

I once heard an illustration about how God strengthens us during trials. It went like this: “Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks? The eagle will fly to high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it. The eagle does not escape the storm; it simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm. When the storms of life come upon us, we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward God. The storms do not have to overcome us; we can allow God's power to lift us above them. God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure, and disappointment into our lives. We can soar above the storm. Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them.”

(iv)             Waiting on God – “He Blesses Us”
When waiting for God, He blesses you. “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him” (Isayah 30:18)

What does it mean to be blessed by God while we wait on Him? As we wait on God and His timing, He can accomplish so much in our hearts. Often we find new purpose in life, receive answers to prayer, see God work, increase our faith, and most often we see God’s perfect plan fulfilled in our situation. Remember, waiting is not wasted time!

(b)       How Do We Wait on God?

• Prayerfully  Psalm 25:4-5 
• With strength and courage  Psalm 27:14, 31:24
• Rejoicing and trusting in His holy name  Psalm 33:21
• Based on the fear of the Lord and His unfailing love Psalm 33:18,22
• With hope  Psalm 33:20, 39:7
• Patiently  Psalm 37:7, 40:1; Habakkuk 3:16, Romans 8:25, Hebrews 6:15
• Obediently  Psalm 37:34, 119:166; Isaiah 26:8-9
• Desiring Him  Isaiah 26:8-9 
• Single-mindedly Psalm 62:5 
• Expectantly  Psalm 123:2, Micah 7:7
• Believing His Word  Psalm 130:5
• Assured He is all we need, He is our portion  Lamentations 3:24
• Quietly  Lamentations 3:26
• Always  Hosea 12:6
• In anticipation of joy  John 3:29
• Eagerly  Romans 8:19,23

USE SOME EXAMPLES FROM THE BIBLE

v  The parable of the ten virgins (Mathew 25:1-13)

Five wise and five foolish virgins

Lamp = Light = Jesus

Oil = Holy Spirit

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