Is the waiting room ever fun? So why do we wait? We wait for the doctor because he/she has knowledge and the ability to treat our ailments and restore our health. We wait for the attorney because he/she has knowledge and the ability to solve our legal problems. We wait for the counselor because he/she has knowledge and can provide direction, educated advice and understanding. We wait because the wait is worth it. We wait expecting that the benefits will come.

Davi d’s advice written around 10^th century B.C.

Psalms 27:¹³I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. ¹⁴Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Goodness =moral excellence, kindness, generosity

Wait = to remain in a state of repose and readiness until something expected happens

Courage = the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to fave difficulty, danger, pain, etc.  without fear

Strength =physical, mental, moral power

What strength do you need from the I AM today? Physical power? Moral power?

Mental power?

Courage for the Israelites written in 14^th century B.C.

Joshua 1:⁶ Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. ⁷Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. ⁸This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. ⁹Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

What goodness of the Lord did the Israelites see in the Promised Land?

When did the Israelites wait?

When did the Israelites show courage?

How and when did the Lord strengthen the hearts of the Israelites?

What applications from the Israelites in the Promised Land can you take for your situation?

Courage for Paul written in A.D. 60

Acts 28:¹² And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. ¹³And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: ¹⁴Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. ¹⁵And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

What goodness of the Lord did Paul see in the land of the living?

When did Paul wait?

When did Paul show courage?

How and when did the Lord strengthen the heart of Paul?

What applications from Paul can you take for your situation?

Encouragement from Isaiah chapter 40, written in the 8^th century B.C.–

²⁸ Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. ²⁹He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. ³⁰Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: ³¹But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

What does Isaiah’s encouragement mean to you?

So where are you today? For what are you waiting? Are you waiting for God to supply a need? Are you waiting for God to fulfill your dream? Are you waiting for God to bring justice and avenge your enemy? Are you waiting for God to give direction? Are you waiting for God to answer to your question? Are you waiting for an answer to your prayer?

Our God does not change. There is no shadow of turning with Him. The same God Who provided for the Israelites, for Isaiah and for Paul provides for you and me today. That is why we should wait on Him!

Our focus = Hebrews 12:¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Our challenge = Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti