SPRING GOSPEL MEETING - AUDIO SERMONS
In case you missed our gospel meeting with Tim Rice, you can listen to the sermons here.
The word patience is used thirty-four times in the King James Version of the Bible. In all but three of these instances it means steadfastness, endurance. The other usage means to be long spirited, longsuffering (Matthew 18:26, 29; James 5:7). While both of these things are important, we sometimes find ourselves without patience toward others. But do we ever become impatient with God? Perhaps we are like the person who says, "Lord, give me patience-now!" We may be that person. God does nothing without reason, and that includes causing us to wait.
King Saul's sordid story begins with his impatience. On an occasion when Samuel told him wait at Gilgal for him to come and offer burnt offerings and sacrifices, Saul panicked, for the people scattered from him. Thus he offered the burnt offering. Upon his arrival Samuel said to Saul, "Thou hast done foolishly: thou has not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee" (1 Samuel 13:13). From this we learn that waiting for God requires our trusting Him. Patience brings rewards to those who embrace it.
It is always foolish to run ahead of God, for such leads to sin. John wrote, "Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son" (2 John 1:9). Remember that Jesus is the way to His Father, and He is the only one who can take us to heaven. If we run ahead of Him, doing things our own way, we will surely fail.
While it is taught many times, three times in the Old Testament we find the phrase, "Wait for Jehovah" (asv). Since God inhabits eternity (Isaiah 57:15), we should understand that He knows all and sees all. To think that we are wiser than God is the epitome of folly. Such thinking leads nowhere but into trouble. Therefore, let's consider the three passages wherein we read the charge to wait for the Lord. Other admonitions are connected with this, and blessings come to those who wait for God.
First, we find strength in God. David said, "Wait for Jehovah: be strong, and let thy heart take courage; yea, wait thou for Jehovah" (Psalm 27:14). As we confront Satan we need God's help. We cannot outsmart our enemy. Neither can we outrun him, but as we resist him, we have the comforting assurance that he will flee from us (James 4:7). However, he is persistent in his attacks. In light of this, we must put on the whole armor of God so we can stand against the devil (Ephesians 6:10-11). Jesus knew that Satan would attack us on all fronts, and He comforted His disciples, saying, "I am with you always, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20). He also said, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20). He does not leave us alone, and we find strength and comfort in His presence, for as David said, "In thy presence is fulness of joy" (Psalm 16:11). So when life is tough, remember that God is aware of our struggles, and then take courage in Him.
Second, we are challenged to wait for the Lord and keep His way (Psalm 37:34). Notice the tone of Satan's first deception, and see that he designed it to cause the woman to doubt God. "Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" (Genesis 3:1). We imagine Eve's reaction: "We can eat of all the trees except one! God said we will die if we eat it or touch it." Satan set the trap more precisely, telling the woman they would not die, and God knew they would become "as gods, knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:3-5). Eve's resistance broke. She took the fruit, ate it, and also gave it to Adam. After they had eaten, they soon realized that they should have listened to God and kept His way. The truth that Jeremiah wrote years later is seen in their folly: "O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23). We must attune our hearts to the will of God, for His way is the best, and it is the only way that leads to eternal life.
The last usage of the phrase under consideration is from Solomon's pen. The wise man said, "Say not thou, I will recompense evil: wait for Jehovah, and he will save thee" (Proverbs 20:22). This truth is also taught by Paul in Romans: "Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but rather give place unto wrath" (Romans 12:19). Is this easy? No! It is, however, in keeping with the love of God. Can you imagine the reaction of Jesus' audience as He preached the Sermon on the Mount? We have no doubt that a noticeable rumble ran through the crowd as His message unfolded and went straight to the hearts of those who listened. How can I love my enemy? Why must I pray for that scoundrel who wronged me and slandered my name? "Turn the other cheek"? You must be kidding! I know my rights, and you will pay dearly. That is the mind-set of the world. Matthew 5:38-48 issues the charges and gives the reason. We must allow the Lord to do His work, and He always does-in His own time! The challenge is to overcome evil with good, instead of allowing evil to dictate who we become (Romans 12:21).
The Bible is filled with delightful and demanding things. Take time to read it for yourself. If we can help you in your spiritual journey, please let us know.
-Dale E. Andrews
Waiting for Jehovah
