Chapter 34 – Waiting on God 2024
Waiting on God seems like it requires a professional service to hold one still. In failure or challenge waiting feels like an eternity, when in fact it is a teaching and a pause offered by God. A safe zone. Whether you think you’re ready to do something or you don’t know what to do, Chapter 34 is absolutely a place of rest. No matter how frustrating and confounding, if you make a move here in 34, it is dangerous territory.
Galatians 5:17
New King James Version
17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
As a soldier of Christ, one must be trained, a hunter waits for days before the quarry shows up — and then there is only seconds to take the shot. If you don’t wait, you lose.
2 Timothy 2:4-7
New King James Version
4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, and [a]may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
It is likely that Paul was chained to a soldier as he wrote that passage and watched what a Roman chain of command meant to those on duty. It is true, a soldier must give up many things to be a soldier and to engage the commander of his army. This is true in the command of Christ. Wait for orders and follow as instructed. Same with an athlete. Preparation is key, timing is crucial and things that entangle the goal must be set aside. A farmer must eat before he tends the field, and for all listed here, self is not an option, God has given a clear path, when to move, and when to pause. Be quiet and give the Master his audience.
Listen to only for the voice of reason, the enemy is close at hand, knowing that you are vulnerable. Listening to the wrong individuals is costly, it is the enemy, a voice of Treason. Be aware of being in the company of incorrect talk and discussion.
Proverbs 18:21
New King James Version
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
Greg Laurie, a prominent pastor in Southern California is quoted as saying,
“Christians are a lot like teabags, you don’t know what they’re made of until you put them into hot water.”
James 1:2–4
“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” (NLT).
When the direction is hazy, unclear, stop, consider the steps taken so far, as a soldier waits for orders, stand down, pray and be clear headed. Waiting on God, is without your plan, except to calm down and wait for His plan. Read passages in scripture that will absolutely speak to your position and what is ahead.
Psalm 27:13-14b
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
Mark 5:36
Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
It is at this time, that the Lord is giving you, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the truth. Let me talk for a moment about men. It is vital that strong men build communities. The current political climate would suggest that becoming less manly is the way to go. Humble is misused a great deal. Humble is not weak, rather it is knowing that God is God and I am nothing without Him. Society on the other hand says of men, whatever they say is sexist, racist, chauvinistic, and in general, the old school of man is now thought of as in error. It is vital that in a pause one consider the outrageous claims of this world right now and how to teach the children correctly. For the confused society, weak is now an asset. Not good. Masculine right now is becoming a thing of the past, beware. Weak is not humble, humble is quiet, strong, effective, consistent, committed and God fearing. Good men are few and need to protect families against bad men because weak men can’t. The world our children see is reflected in you and me. They need the truth. Pause, talk with them, be an example. Sometimes the Lord pauses all of us. Scripture is clear…
Genesis 18:19
English Standard Version
19 For I have chosen[a] him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.”
Who’s Abraham in this context? You — the descendant of Israel. Obviously strength is a key element of man to carry down through time. There is no place in history where a Women is looking for a weak man. They are looking for a husband who is good, strong, dedicated, anointed and powerful in the Lord. Without such a man, who will be the example of a good leader, what will our daughters see in their fathers? All of us sometimes need to pause and consider this. Family is a big deal and is being attacked all over America and the world. We need strong parents, good parenting, clear biblical dynamics. If it is up to the state, parenting will be a thing of the past. It’s so important to align with God here. In all that we do, pause — give thought — when God says “time out” use it for an example of obedience to family and the world watching you.
Once the kids go to school, they’ll be those who confuse them, people in authority will cause this confusion. Very bad. Our kids are being taught that men should be more like women and women should be more like men and gender is optional. What does this have to do with your bottom line? I’ll tell you right after this verse.
Isaiah 5:20-21
New King James Version
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!
What about women in business? Oh definitely this is great. The bible is clear. And here is your bottom line. A marriage is a union of Godly goals set by the Word and held together in obedience, teaching and prayer.
Proverbs 31:15-17
New King James Version
She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.
She considers a field and buys it; From [a]her profits she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.
Men, you find this girl, best take care of her and never let her go. By the words in that verse, it looks like the perfect woman is an example of free trade and capitalism. It doesn’t look the Bible has a Marxist view on the woman’s role in the family business, does it! That is a woman who has paused to consider her options adding to the bottom line. She is a team player.
How do you find this woman and take care of her? Not in weakness, that is for sure. When a man turns to the Lord, he is given the “gift” of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). The Spirit is “given to those who obey Him” (Acts 5:32). Further, the Spirit is at work in the heart and life of men who have their mind “set on the Spirit” and those men are at a great advantage. Be strong, and correct, use your powers for the Glory and in Him you will find strength, don’t confuse strength with humility. The devil would have you believe that. Not true. Humility is giving God the glory of the new creation in you. I guarantee you, if you do not pause in Chapter 34 you will not consider these things and involve God in the nurturing of it all.
John 1:5
New International Version
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.
Darkness cannot blow down a man of God, period. Wait — for the answers, on time, every time, sometimes stay the course means be still and know that He is God. Let the training build on historical evidence. Repent, the very word, means to change one’s mind. We put sin with repentance, okay I get that, but there’s more. I can’t forgive my sins, repent means I turn to God because I can’t do it. Really, repent, the word means “change of mind.” I change my mind, and realize only He can do things I can’t! I can’t get sin off my back, I can’t solve unsolvable problems, I can’t pause unless I believe it’s time to spend with the Master to prepare the next move. God can and will direct me and forgive my sins. He will be made strong in my weakness. That’s the plan. It always has been.
2 Corinthians 12:9-11
New King James Version
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
What’s the difference between “Waiting on God” and the chapter on “Line Up and Wait?”
- Line up and wait is when you are ready to go, you know what to do and the timing isn’t right just yet. Don’t go, rely on God.
- Waiting on God is when you do not know what to do and you’re out of answers. Very unstable environment — rely on God.
The two are different, don’t get them confused. How do you know the difference? When there is no plan, you’re not ready. Period. Happens all the time, but people feel that must do something — and rather than slow down and assess, pray and prepare, they move on half backed ideas. Jesus warned over and over again – be on your guard, don’t listen to foolishness..,
Jeremiah 7:24 ESV
But they did not obey or incline their ear but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts and went backward and not forward.
Clean up the office, tend to the customers, produce, deliver and collect, wash your truck, answer calls (carefully), clean up accounting, do today, and resist “dimension jumping” into the future in your head. Stay still, read.
Matthew 6:34
New International Version
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
It sounds like avoiding the problem. It is not — it is waiting on God’s perfect direction and timing. The next step will be clear, if you remain quiet you’ll hear it.
James 1:6 English Standard Version (ESV)
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
When we experience unresolvable situations or seemingly “out of answer” problems, God is calling you, telling you – lean on me, let me show you who I Am and who you are.
Isaiah 43:1
“Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.”
1 Corinthians 16:13
New International Version
13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
Don’t be stupid and pray until He sees it your way, or pretend that you’ve heard His direction and it is what you want. All of that is very dangerous to your future and peace of mind. Resist. Stand still, be humble before the Lord because you realize His power, grace, mercy and love. Be strong in His ways.
Lamentations 3:25
The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.
Give me an example, Patrick! Okay. I’m in a huge new political environment. Everyone has a job, all aspects of the current participation is covered. There’s no available jobs and it’s important that I maintain some kind of visibility to do what God has given me. Right? Maybe not. Well, then how do I interject myself into the administration? Easy answer. I don’t. I simply remain available and show up to the next event. “I should be doing things here, big things.” Stop. Pause. Let God be God. He always uses the gifts He’s given, best to let Him use them in His time. Just Wait, If I get in the way, the timing is off. Everyone knows what I can do, let God be God.
How many of us say, I want to take my life to the next level, my business to the next big thing. What moves do I make? Let me answer that for you. None. You make no moves without correct path. Work today’s list as it stands, even it’s too simple. Patiently pray and wait for the answer from God and look for that answer in the Word. There will be a phrase, many scriptures, that speak to you as you wait. What else?
In relationships there are problems. I think I must fix them, how do I do that? Easy answer, you can’t fix people. There’s nothing to do many times. Let God teach His people. Behave yourself, act as a Man of God, and let God put things in the correct order. You’ll have your part in it for sure, and it may not be what you thought it was.
You’ve heard it said, sometimes people need a good letting alone. Read the Word for tips in your heart and in your mind. Let Him speak to you and let Him do the work. Let Him do the work in others, you be the example. Stand still in the area of fixing people, let God do God. What comes of that will be clear as to what to do and when. What about when I’ve made the bid and nobody is calling me back. “I gotta do something!” No, you don’t. Let God handle it for you. If you get it, praise Jesus, if you don’t, you dodged a bullet. I assure you when it is time for you to do what you do, it will be better with prayer and supplication before God as you pause.
James 5:16b
New King James Version
The effective, [b]fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
E.M. Bounds, an American author, attorney, and member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South clergy, late 1800’s. He is known for writing 11 books, nine of which focused on the subject of prayer. He is quoted here:
“What the church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more novel methods, but men who the Holy Ghost can use – men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but men. He does not anoint plans, but men – men of prayer.”
Pray, read, behave, repeat.
Chapter 34, 2024 entitled “Waiting on God.”
In this lesson, I have but one cautionary comment.
When you finally decide to wait on God, make sure He’s not standing right in front of you, waiting on you. For what you might ask? To talk to you. Are you listening? Let’s pray…
