Seasons Change: Seasons of Waiting

Pastor Scott Applegate

Sermon Notes

“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14 NIV
What are the seasons of waiting?

“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” James 5:7-11 ESV

• When we cannot control circumstances

• When we cannot change people

• When we cannot explain our problems

Why should we learn to wait on the Lord?

• It renews and strengthens our faith

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for 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.” Isaiah 40:28-30 ESV

• It develops our perseverance

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:2-4 NLT

• It shapes our character

“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

How to wait on the Lord:

• Wait confidently

“I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.” Psalm 130:5 NIV

• Wait patiently

“Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act.” Psalm 37:7 NLT

• Wait collectively

“…we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith…” Hebrews 12:1 NLT

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT