Pentecost 2
Fr. Phil Eberhart
The Grace of Waiting on God
How many of you know that WAIT is a four-letter word?
Now in our culture when we use the phrase "a four-letter word" we mean something very particular. Often our conversation - or conversations we hear out in the world are strewn with these "four-letter words!"
And so when we call WAIT a "four-letter word" it means that it is something to be avoided - something that we eschew - that we want to move away from, or a time that we try hard to move through as quickly as possible.
WAIT is the hardest word in the Bible, often, for us to hear.
It is a cultural thing for us, who grew up in a culture of instant gratification - microwave dinners - fast food - instant coffee ... and the list goes on and on and on.
If we want something we want it NOW and if we don't have it, especially in America, then we go get it.
Have any of you noticed yet that God doesn't work on our timetable? We cannot really "schedule" a revival! Oh, we can schedule it and go through the motions - add lights and cameras and action - but trying to schedule God's arrival is a bit above our pay grade! Don't you think?
I'm reminded of the confrontation of Elijah with the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel in northern Israel. It's recorded for us in 1 Kings 18 - almost a comical scene, where Elijah challenges the 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah to a duel of sorts! The prophets of Baal place their offering on the altar and begin the dance, the cutting, the bleeding for their god - and nothing happens. In fact, to such an extent was nothing happening that Elijah begins to jeer and to egg them on - try this, try that - maybe your god is asleep or maybe he's gone on vacation!
So often we behave like the prophets of Baal - trying to figure out ways to get God to do what we want Him to do.
But you know what - our God doesn't work that way.
He says... WAIT.
Wait means we make room for Him. Now that may take a while, because the God we serve fills the whole universe with His presence! But to wait on the Lord, means we make room for Him, here - in our hearts.
When she was 5 our oldest daughter Alyssia told us, "I know about God!" We said, "REALLY!?? What do you know about God?" She matter-of-factly answered, "God breaks your heart open and moves in, and He puts it back together, so He can live there."
She really DID know about God! The wisdom and simplicity of a 5 year old. Oh that we, complicated sophisticated adult Americans could grasp the simplicity of God's love for us and desire to dwell in our hearts.
Oh, the mystery and wonder of a God who, though He fills the furthest corners of the universe, chooses to be known and to dwell in and among His people!
Friends, when it comes to waiting on God we have need of understanding and patience. God's hand is not short, nor is His desire small to be among us or to manifest His work in our midst. The point of waiting is not for Him, but for us! The point of waiting is preparation. The point of waiting is humility. The point of waiting is for us to move away from our own self-reliance and impatience, and to do things HIS WAY, not our way!
This past week in our intercessory time the Lord gave us a word that bears repeating here, as a principle of waiting.
In Isaiah 50, the prophet speaks for the Lord and says this:
[Isa 50:10-11 ESV]
10 Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.
11 Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who equip yourselves with burning torches! Walk by the light of your fire, and by the torches that you have kindled! This you have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment.
Isn't this a picture of the way that we wait on God ... NOT!
What the Lord is saying here, through Isaiah, applies to us directly! We have come, here at REZ, to boast in "our" verse from Proverbs 3: 5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths.
Oak likes the next verse too, and often quotes it. Can any of you say what the next verse is?
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
The takes us directly back to Isaiah 50. The warning here is for us - when we are surrounded by darkness - when we don't know which way to turn - when we cannot move for lack of light - we are told to trust in the Name of the Lord and to rely on our God. We are told to wait.
And the next verse is a strong indictment on those who will not wait - those who build for themselves their own fire - their own firebrands to light their way.
How counter-intuitive and counter-cultural this is for us. For we Americans who are the purveyors of light in the world! For us who to walk in darkness is almost unknown - the flip of a switch lights a "fire" of our own kindling! We know nothing - absolutely nothing - of sitting alone in the dark with God, and saying I trust You!
And I believe that we are going to need that gift. That grace.
Days are coming that are going to be dark. And without some practice now, we are not going to know how to wait.
I urge you to take time away from your busy-ness - from the frantic pace of your day or days - yes you can start small, 7 minutes!! - and if you have to start early - perhaps it means getting up a few minutes earlier - or turning off the news a few minutes earlier - whatever! In whatever way you can carve out the few minutes, make a beginning of waiting on God!
Waiting is WATCHING WITH HIM
Remember in the garden, Jesus was praying and the disciples were sleeping? His question? "Could you not watch with me one hour?" Start there - just one hour. Most of us cannot even manage that, just like the disciples!!
Waiting is ATTENDING TO HIM
When I was taught to be a counselor, I was taught about "attending" - being present and fully engaged, not thinking about my answer, not wondering in my thoughts, but present to the person. How can we be present to God? Perhaps if we are present to Him, He will become present to us!
Waiting is INVESTING IN HIM
We think of investing in terms of money, but I want to challenge you to invest your time, your thoughts, your life and your heart ... in Jesus! Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also! Make Jesus your investment! What kind of return on investment might there be if you do?
Waiting is TIME FOR HIM
Ever hear of "quality time?" That is what we're talking about - giving God quality time. And sometimes He wants quantity time as well! Have you ever taken a day away to pray? Can you even wrap your mind around it? A day to read and study the scriptures - to hear what God might say to you about your life? Go with a Bible and an empty notebook.
I want to finish this morning by turning back to our scriptures from the Psalm and the NT reading. Read with me beginning at the 4th verse of the Psalm
in his word is my hope.
more than watchmen for the morning, *
more than watchmen for the morning.
for with the LORD there is mercy;
and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.
Let us Pray:
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the light of the world! In your light, we see light. In you there is no darkness at all. Open our eyes, Lord, that in our darkness we may see your light and by your light may walk in your ways. Save us from the temptation to kindle our own fires, to light our own ways by our ingenuity and in our impatience. Show us how to wait for you: to Watch with you, to Attend to you, to Invest in you and to spend Time with you. Help us Lord to say again, "My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchman for the morning; More than watchman for the morning!"
In your Name we ask it for your glory and the glory of your Kingdom, Jesus!
Amen.
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