Esperar en Dios

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Transcript of Esperar en Dios

ESPERAR EN DIOS1. The exercise of patience is one of the most difficult workouts in life. We must stay in God’s gym and finish our Wait Training.

2. Es durante la espera que nuestro carácter es transformado, nuestra voluntad fortalecida y nuestro amor incrementado.

3. Cuántas veces no hemos perdido oportunidades o hemos

cometido errores por no haber sabido esperar el momento exacto para actuar o tomar decisiones? Como seres humanos muchas veces somos impacientes y nos angustiamos, nos decepcionamos, nos enojamos y hasta nos deprimimos porque las circunstancias se presentan adversas a nuestros planes o aspiraciones y estos se retrasan o fracasan

completamente.  

Lo mismo sucede en algunas situaciones de nuestra vida que nos encontramos desesperados o preocupados y clamamos a Dios por ayuda y esperamos que Su respuesta sea inmediata y no comprendemos que el Señor tiene el tiempo perfecto para enviarnos la respuesta y que sus propósitos sean

cumplidos en nuestra vida, El nunca llega tarde.

Dios tiene maravillosas promesas y bendiciones para nosotros sus hijos y el Espíritu Santo nos guía y nos ayuda a través de la Palabra y la oración para que aprendamos a conocer la voluntad de Dios en nuestras vidas, pedir de acuerdo a ella y a saber esperar el tiempo perfecto del Señor para su cumplimiento.  Y es

durante esta espera que nuestro carácter va siendo transformado, nuestra voluntad fortalecida y nuestro amor incrementado.

Romanos 5:3-5 “Y no sólo esto,  sino que también nos gloriamos en las tribulaciones,  sabiendo que la tribulación produce paciencia; y la paciencia,  prueba;  y la prueba,  esperanza; y la esperanza no

avergüenza;  porque el amor de Dios ha sido derramado en nuestros corazones por el Espíritu Santo que nos fue dado.”

Esperar en Dios no significa tener una actitud pasiva o conformista sino todo lo contrario.  Esta espera debe estar siempre impregnada de positivismo, fe, comunión con Dios, leyendo y creyendo la Palabra y

confesando la voluntad de nuestro Padre para nuestras vidas.

Hebreos 6:12-15 “A fin de que no os hagáis perezosos,  sino imitadores de aquellos que por la fe y la paciencia heredan las promesas. Porque cuando Dios hizo la promesa a Abraham,  no pudiendo jurar por otro mayor,  juró por sí mismo, diciendo: De cierto te bendeciré

con abundancia y te multiplicaré grandemente. Y habiendo esperado con paciencia,  alcanzó la promesa.”

En el salmo 31:24 dice: que nos esforcemos todos nosotros los que esperamos en Jehová.

tome aliento nuestro corazón, significa que no debemos ceder  a la impaciencia o al desánimo cuando somos

atribulados, sino debemos creer en la misericordia del Señor para con quienes le temen y confían en Él.

¿Cómo esperamos en Dios?

Pacientemente, con fe, reposando en El, con alegría, en alabanza y adoración, en oración, meditando en su Palabra y haciendo su voluntad.

Hebreos 10:36 “porque os es necesaria la paciencia,  para que habiendo hecho la voluntad de Dios,  obtengáis la promesa”

Salmo 40:1-5 “Pacientemente esperé a Jehová,  Y se inclinó a mí,  y oyó mi clamor.Y me hizo sacar del pozo de la desesperación,  del lodo cenagoso; Puso mis pies sobre peña,  y enderezó mis pasos. Puso luego en

mi boca cántico nuevo,  alabanza a nuestro Dios.  Verán esto muchos,  y temerán, Y confiarán en Jehová. Bienaventurado el hombre que puso en Jehová su confianza,  Y no mira a los soberbios,  ni a los que se desvían tras la mentira. Has aumentado,  oh Jehová Dios mío,  tus maravillas; Y tus pensamientos para con nosotros.

Salmo 42:5 “¿Por qué te

abates,  oh alma mía,  Y te turbas dentro de mí? Espera en Dios;  porque aún he de alabarle,  Salvación mía y Dios mío”.

Salmo62:5 Alma mía,  en Dios solamente reposa,  Porque de él es mi esperanza.”

Proverbios 10:28  “La esperanza de los justos es alegría;Mas la esperanza de los impíos

perecerá.”

Pidamos entonces al Señor que nos enseñe a esperar confiadamente en El, que podamos ser pacientes y sabios para esperar y conocer el tiempo perfecto del cumplimiento de sus promesas, y que nuestra fe aumente y podamos ser  agradables a El.

4.How are you with patience? Is patience

difficult for you? A man in Los Angeles, California was arrested for negligent discharge of a weapon after shooting his toilet bowl five times with a 38 caliber handgun. He claims that he just got upset. He couldn’t take it any longer. His daughter had flushed a hairbrush earlier in the day and clogged the pipes. So he shot the offending toilet. I have no word on the toilet’s condition, but the

man’s patience was long gone.We must learn the art of patience if we truly want to enjoy life. One person calls it "wait-training." One workout we regularly participate in is the exercise of patience. It seems that there is always something we are waiting for:1. We wait on traffic and we wait in lines at stores, restaurants, and even to go to the restroom.

2. We wait to hear about a new job.3. We wait while an automated voice goes through 1,000 options on the phone.4. We wait to complete school or to retire.5. We wait to grow up or for maturity in a child.6. We wait for a decision to be made.7. Wait…wait...wait!8. We cannot escape the web of waiting!

Because of this, Patience is an essential quality of a happy life. Patience is a virtue,Possess it if you can.Found seldom in a woman,Never in a man.

Every day presents plenty of opportunities for “wait training.” How is your Wait Training coming along?Many of can relate with the great New England

preacher Phillips Brooks. He was noted for his poise and quiet manner. At times, however, even he suffered moments of frustration and irritability. One day a friend saw him feverishly pacing the floor like a caged lion. "What’s the trouble, Mr. Brooks?" he asked. "The trouble is that I’m in a hurry, but God isn’t!"

The Bible speaks often about the importance of

waiting on God:Psalms 25:5 - Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. 

Psalms 37:7 - Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 9 - For evildoers shall be

cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. 

Psalms 40:1 - I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 

Psalms 62:1 - Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.

Psalms 123:2 - Behold, as

the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us. 

Psalms 130:5 - I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. 

Isaiah 40:31 - But 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.

Micah 7:7 - Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. 

2 Thessalonians 3:5 - And the Lord direct your

hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. 

What does it mean to wait on God?G. Campbell MorganWaiting for God is not laziness. Waiting for God is not going to sleep. Waiting for God is not the abandonment of effort. Waiting for God means first activity under command; second, readiness for any new

command that may come; third, the ability to do nothing until the command is given. The Hebrew word translated "waiting" . . . has affinity with a word that means "to entrench." God works for him that entrenches himself in Him. The idea of waiting for God here is that of digging ourselves in to God. Waiting for God, then, means power to do

nothing save under command. This is not lack of power to do anything. Waiting for God needs strength rather than weakness. It is the power to do nothing. It is the strength that holds strength in check. It is the strength that prevents the blundering activity which is entirely false and will make the true activity impossible when the definite command comes. 

Waiting is far more difficult than working. . . . Waiting requires strength. It demands absolute surrender of the life to God, the confession that we are at the end of our own understanding of things, the confession that we really do not see our way and do not know the way. The waiting that says: "Until God shall speak we dare not move and will not move, we will not be

seduced from our resolution to wait"; requires strength (The Westminster Pulpit, vol. ix, pp. 318-323). 

There are times when the only hope we have, the only solution to our situation, the only cure for our condition…is to wait on God.

In Psalm 27, David was facing a situation that we can identify with:

I. His Desperation ConditionA. Fear1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

B. Foes2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

3 Though an host should encamp against me,6 mine enemies11 mine enemies12 mine enemies…false witnesses

C. Fight3 war5 For in the time of trouble

D. Failure9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger:

thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

E. Forsaken10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

F. False Statements12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up

against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

G. Faint13 I had fainted…

We find here a man at the end of his rope…he is give out and almost ready to give up.

We see His Desperate ConditionII. His Determined ChoiceNotice David’s conclusion in verse 14 –“Wait on the

LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

It’s like David is saying, “Try this…it worked for me when I was in a desperate situation and it will work for you.”

Notice the process by which David came to this conclusion: we will approach the verse in reverse order.

A. Seeing13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.1. Seeing is believing….believing is seeing.2. David’s faith helped him to see past his present situation and look to his powerful Savior.3. To wait upon God means to expect from God. A real "waiting

meeting" according to Scripture is an expectation meeting. It implies dependence.4. “I would have quit if not for my faith…I believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”5. “Heaven is a long way off….I need some help from God now.”6. Psalms 62:5 - My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.

B. Supplication7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

He prayed for the:1. Presence of God9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger:

thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

2. Path Of God11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

3. Protection Of God

12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

Proverbs 20:22 - Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.

Psalm 37:34 - Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to

inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

He prayed for the Presence of God, The Path of God, and the Protection of God.

Lamentations 3:25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

A. Seeing B. Supplication

C. Singing6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

1. Our attitude is important as we wait on God.2. As we see His promised help and we seek His powerful hand…

it should inspire us to sing praises to His holiness!

D. Silence5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.1. It is as if in some great trial or pressure he had found great comfort in prayer and had encouraged his heart in

the hope of God’s help; then in quiet faith casts himself upon God.2. Prayer has been made and now the soul is hushed and, bowing in silence (in faith) it waits before God.3. Prayers are needed. They are the winged messengers to carry the need to God. But it is in the silent hour before Him, quietly waiting in His presence that the miracle is wrought.

4. When you are hiding, you don’t make any noise…you are completely silent.5. We do the praying but not the waiting. Let us not be afraid to be silent before Him thinking it is wasted time. He does not want us to be all the time talking--telling Him so many things about which He already knows more than we do. Time is needed today for proper adjustment to Him, our

vision properly focused, our hearts hushed, and minds subdued.6. Lamentations 3:26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.A. SeeingB. SupplicationC. SingingD. SilenceE. Serving4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I

may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

1. Another meaning of wait, is to serve, or minister…2. As we wait on God, He puts a desire in our hearts to serve Him.3. David’s desire was to just be in the house of God and serve the Lord.

F. Success1. His Triumph2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

2. His Testimony1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

"Wait"

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I criedQuietly, patiently, lovingly God replied.I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate,And the Master so gently said,"Child, you must wait.""Wait? You say, wait!" my indignant reply."Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!Is Your hand shortened?Or have You not heard?By Faith, I have asked,

and am claiming Your Word.My future and all to which I can relateHangs in the balance, andYOU tell me to WAIT?I’m needing a ’yes’,A go-ahead sign,Or even a ’no’ to which I can resign.And Lord, I’ve been asking, and this is my cry:"I’m weary of asking! I need a reply!"

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate. As my Master replied once again,"You must wait."So, I slumped in my chair,Defeated and taut and grumbled to God,"So, I’m waiting... for what?"He seemed, then, to kneel,And His eyes wept with mine,And He tenderly said,"I could give you a sign.

I could shake the heavens,And darken the sun.I could raise the dead, AndCause mountains to run.All you seek, I could give, and pleased you would be.You would have what you want - But you would never know Me.You would not know the depth of My love for a Saint;

You’d not know the power that I give to the Faint;You’d not learn to see through the clouds of Despair;You’d not learn to trust just by knowing I’m There;You’d not know the joy of resting in MeWhen darkness and silence were all you could See.You’d never experience that fullness of LoveAs the peace of My Spirit

descends like a Dove;You’d know that I give and I save... for a StartBut You’d not know the depth of the beat of My Heart.The glow of My comfort late into the Night,The faith that I give when you walk without Sight,The depth that’s beyond getting just what you AskedOf an infinite God, who makes what you have LAST.

You’d never know should your pain quickly Flee,What it means that ’My Grace is sufficient for Thee.’Yes, your dreams for your loved one overnight would come True,But, Oh the loss! If I lost what I’m doing in You!So, be silent, My Child, and in time you will SeeThe greatest of gifts is to get to know Me.And though oft’ may My answers seem terribly

Late,My most precious answer of all is still, ’Wait’."

Such wonderful blessings hang upon this one condition--to wait. Do we wait ? Are we willing to trust God to work out our troubles or will we continue to trust ourselves and make a mess?

A mother shared this

story. When her son was quite small, he had a small stuffed gorilla that he wagged around with him everywhere -- and I do mean EVERYWHERE -- he went. She could sometimes sneak it away for a quick laundering during nap time, but Heaven help her if her son awoke before his friend "Rilla" was out of the dryer! Rilla’s seams gradually began to weaken and his stuffing

began to leak. Poor old Rilla was in desperate need of some corrective surgery, not to mention a stuffing transplant. One day, John waddled up to me and held up his battered, beloved Rilla and said, ’Mommy, Rilla’s broked.’ I explained that I would be happy to fix Rilla up -- a little new stuffing, some seam reinforcement, and he would be ’all better’ again. John held Rilla out

toward me, and said ’Fizzit, Mommy!’ But, when I reached down to take the little gorilla in my hands, I found that it had a two-year-old firmly attached to it. A tug of war between the mom and toddler ensued with Rilla the prize. Finally, in exasperation, I said, ’I can’t fix it until you let go of it!!!’ And just at that moment, the Spirit of God tapped me on the shoulder, as it were --

and I realized that God was waiting for me to let go of several things, too."It’s so hard for us to get out of his way and let him "fizzit" in his own good time, because we’re living in the present moment and He is living in eternity. 

Perhaps today you find yourself in God’s gym tired…ready to throw in the towel…don’t give up now!

Finish your Wait Training!5. Have you ever heard the expression, “Hurry up and wait?” This thought goes against everything we know as a way of life today. Because of technological advancements, we have become a society of impatient people. We want it…and we want it now.

6.Have you ever heard the

expression, “Hurry up and wait?” This thought goes against everything we know as a way of life today. Because of technological advancements, we have become a society of impatient people. We want it…and we want it now.

If you think this description does not fit you, try and sit down to an evening of TV without

the remote control. God forbid that we would actually have to get up to change the channel. Try and make popcorn without the aid of a microwave. (Can you remember a time when popcorn was fixed in a frying pan?) Try corresponding with someone by mailing a letter and waiting on a response. (telephone, email, etc...)

I receive email all of the times for schemes telling me my financial worries are over, just follow this program and the money will be walking in the door by the weekend. In other words get rich quick.

You can lose weight quick; find love quick; get your oil changed quickly; on and on.

I learned when I had my

back surgery that you can even get fixed up quick. I never dreamed that in the same day, you can enter the hospital, have major work done on your skeletal system and walk out. I still question the wisdom in that, but I am alive and well today with no ill effects from it.

My brother Allen had surgery on his hand last week and he was sent home the same day also.

It was so bad, because of the anesthesia I suppose, that we had to tell him to put one foot in front of the other in order to get him walking toward the house. I was even singing the song from an old Christmas cartoon, “Put one foot in front of the other…”

I think you are beginning to see my point though, we are living in a fast paced society and waiting

is not something we like to do.

This way of thinking, however, is contrary or differs from biblical teachings.

Let’s examine this morning the teachings found in the book of Psalms, chapter 27, vs. 7-14.

In verse 14, we see that once again in scripture

we are told to wait. I wonder if this is why religion is not as popular as it should be. I say, “as it should be,” because I cannot understand how people can continue to reject the gift of God’s love. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. (2 Cor. 9:15)

Often when we are faced with difficult circumstances in life, the hardest thing that we can

do, is listen to God speaking to us through His word saying, “wait.” God, I need help now…God my child is sick now…God the bank is going to repossess my car tomorrow…God I am out of money now and I am out of food…I want this house now…I want healing now…I want wisdom now…I want knowledge now…God please don’t make me wait.

It seems as if recently I have been asked several times, “should I keep praying for the same thing” “I feel as if God is not hearing my prayers because He is not answering them.” If we were to complete what we are saying with the truth, we would add, “as quickly as I want him to or in the way that I want him to.”

What I am saying goes against human beings logical way of thinking. Isaiah 55:8-9. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

The world and its governments can say to

you, “I can offer you help right now.” Friends and family can say to you, “I can give you help right now.” “You do not have to call upon an invisible God who answers in his own good time.” We truly are a peculiar people.

Church, know this, there is a lot of truth to the saying, and “good things come unto those who wait.”

Heb 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come…This thing we call Christianity certainly has its good things now that we can enjoy and take comfort in, but they are nothing compared with what we will know as reality when we see Jesus face to face. • The Old Covenant sacrifice(s) were temporary and powerless to cleanse from sin. 

• The New Covenant sacrifice brought about eternal redemption, (salvation or deliverance from sin) (Heb 7:24), eternal inheritance (9:15), and it is eternally effective. Worth waiting for.

Sadly though for some what they will know about Jesus will be His final words that will forever echo in their minds, “Depart from me

ye workers of iniquity, I never knew you.” Contrast that with, “Enter in to the joys of the Lord.” Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do His commandments that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. The only way to enter the city is by accepting Jesus Christ, the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6)

Can you even begin to imagine what the joys of the Lord are going to be? I can’t wait… can you? See there you go again. Patience my people, patience.

Luke 2:25-32

Simeon was an old man that was promised that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord’s Christ (vs. 26). His reward for waiting was

being the first on record, other than the parents obviously, to have seen and handled the, “Word of Life.” This is how John described Jesus in 1 John 1:1. This may not seem like much to you and me, but to Simeon, it was the manifestation of the prophetical promises that a Deliverer would come. See Isa. 62:11. Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to

the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 

To Christians today the reward of our waiting will be 1Thes. 4:13-18

Of the many things that Paul prayed for the church at Colosse, in Col. 1:11 we find that one was patience. “We are not expected to walk worthy

of the Lord, be fruitful and grow in grace and knowledge in our own strength, but in His. This power and grace will enable us to bear afflictions and trials with patience, perseverance and real joy.” (Henry T Mahan, Bible Class Commentary) 

Not only will God strengthen us to patiently wait upon deliverance in this present world but will

also give us strength, grace and mercy to patiently wait for the day of his coming.

Some may say in this age of instant gratification that they do not want to serve a God who makes them wait. I Don’t want to wait for strength… answered prayer… comfort…joy… peace…To those who might think that way I would encourage you to heed

the words of apostle Paul when he said to, “run the race with patience.” • Is the cake not worth the wait when it comes fresh out of the oven and into your mouth? • Is water not worth the wait as it quenches the thirst of a hot day? • Is Jesus not worth the wait as He quenches the thirst of your dry and barren soul? • Is deliverance from sin and the chains of

bondage not worth waiting for?• Is immortality not worth waiting for? • Is a joyous reunion with your loved ones seated around God’s throne not worth waiting for?• Is comfort and guidance of the Holy Ghost not worth waiting for? • Is renewed strength and courage not worth waiting for? (Isa. 40:31)• Is help and protection not worth waiting for?

(Psa. 33:20)• Is hope not worth waiting for? (Gal 5:5)• Is answers to prayer not worth waiting for? (Psa. 40:1-3)• Is daily supply not worth waiting for? (Psa. 104:27-28)• Is salvation not worth waiting for? (Rom 8:25)• Is the goodness of God not worth waiting for? (Lam 3:25)Have I convinced you that God is worth waiting

for? So how do we do it then? Do we sit here and stare at the walls or at one another until God decides to manifest himself in our presence? Maybe we can do like many people do on an elevator ride as we wait for our floor to arrive. Did you ever notice what people do? I would guess that 90% of the people look up at the ceiling of the elevator car. Now that sounds like a

concept that we can adopt as Christians. Look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21:28)

How do you wait upon God? The key to patiently waiting upon God is to have the tools necessary to endure the waiting period. In life, we occupy our time of waiting with crossword puzzles, television, reading a

book, talking to a friend, listening to music, etc... 

When my wife was pregnant with our youngest son, we were informed during a routine visit that he was in a breach position and did not want to greet the world upside down. This was new to us and the doctor informed us that he would have to perform a cesarean section in order to ensure a safe

delivery. Our natural response to that as young parents was shock at first but because of our trust in God we eventually warmed up to the idea, especially since we could pick the date of the delivery. I told you that people do not like to wait. The date was set and we went to the hospital. During the delivery process, I was OK because I was in the operating room with my

wife…but for those who were waiting outside, I learned later that, it was a time filled with intense anxiety and apprehension. Once I finally came out and announced that it was a boy, and that everything was OK, my mother in law told me, “the next time if there is a next time, you will wait and I will go in with my daughter!” The object of this lesson is that she did

not know what to do with her time while waiting. The joy of the moment was lost in the frustration of waiting.

While we are waiting on God there are things that we can do and practices we can adapt to make the wait bearable. Remember it is God who strengthens us … “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord of Hosts” Zech 4:6. 

I. While waiting on God, we are to wait prayerfully.• Psalms 25:4-5 Shew me thy ways O Lord; teach me thy paths. 5) Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.• In prayer, we are to learn from David, and ask God to not only reveal to us His ways but also to lead us in His truths.

Waiting on God in this manner is the secret to being a man after God’s own heart. As we do this we often times learn that what we are waiting on is contrary with what God wants for us. 

(Illustration) The only survivor of a shipwreck washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the

horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements and to store his few possessions. But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stung with grief and

anger. "God, how could you do this to me!" he cried.Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him."How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers."We saw your smoke signal," they replied.As we seek God’s face, let us not get into a rut

and tell God what he is to do for us…instead say, “God while I am waiting on you, reveal your word to me in new and wonderful ways; teach me of your ways so that my relationship with you might be solidified; light my path; guide my feet; while I wait strengthen me by your power; increase my knowledge of you that my faith might be renewed.”

II. The second method to examine as we wait on God is to wait patiently. • Psalms 37:7a Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: • If you are dissatisfied with God, the idea here is to be silent; resign to yourself that this day and from now on you are going to leave everything in Gods hands…no matter what.

The 37th Psalm is an

answer from God giving instruction and the resources necessary to face up to the evil that surrounds David. It does not give, if you will notice, immediate deliverance. In answer to our prayers, often instead of taking away our faith building trial, the Lord gives us what is necessary to endure it.(Day by Day, vol. 3)

Read this Psalm today.

God gives us instruction on how to patiently wait. He tells us to not worry, trust in the Lord, delight thyself in the Lord, commit thy way to the Lord, rest in the Lord, etc. The result of not doing these things is fret and jealousy. Which do you choose today?

III. The third way of waiting is to wait with singleness of mind.• Psalms 62:5 My soul,

wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.

This simply means with purity of mind or purpose.

God only will be our salvation, strength, love and deliverance… God only! Do not allow your thoughts to be corrupt with worldly corruption and influence.

IV. The fourth way of waiting on God is to wait expectantly.• Psalms 62:5-6 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. 6) He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved.• Micah 7:7 Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me

Do you pray expectantly and effectually? Do you expect to get a result from God and do you pray from the energy that is within? Expectant means: One who expects; one who waits in expectation; one held in dependence by his belief or hope of receiving some good. Effectually means that we have divine energy given to us by the power of the Word of God

and the effectual prayer ends up producing the intended effects. (Salvation, healing, deliverance, joy, comfort, guidance, etc.)

1 Thes. 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which

effectually worketh also in you that believe.

The Word of God is truth and power unto all who will believe. Do you need a healing... pray for it and expect it. Do you need a job... pray for it and expect it. “Give us this day our daily bread” Let us expectantly wait on God for deliverance in all aspects of our lives.

Are your prayers being

answered? Pray in a new way with the divine energy (the Word of God) given us by the power of the word of God.

V. The fifth way of waiting on God is to wait longingly.• Psalm 130:5-6 I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His word do I hope. 6) My soul waiteth on the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than

they that wait for the morning.

My soul doth wait - I wait, with all my heart and soul.And in his word do I hope - In his promise. I believe that God will fulfill his promise, and that I shall find a gracious answer to my prayers. Whether it is under conviction for sin or maybe you are under deep sorrow and distress of any kind, this is the

only hope of man. If God does not step in, there is no other deliverer. Having the faith that he will step in, gives us the confidence and assurance we need. We must come to him with a humble, believing, and a penitent heart. (Portions from Albert Barnes, Notes on the Bible)If you have ever experienced a night that you felt would never end, you would know what

vs.6 was meaning. The idea here is that of a person that longs for the first light of day much in the way a guard would in order to be relieved of their duty. To them the night seems long; they are weary, and want rest; all around is cheerless, gloomy, and still; and they long for the first signs that light will again visit the world. Try and look at it this way:

In affliction - the long, dark, dreary, gloomy night of sorrow - the sufferer looks for the first indication, the first faint ray of comfort to the soul. When under deep conviction for sin, and deep apprehension of the wrath of God - that night, dark, dreary, gloomy, often long - the soul looks for some ray of comfort, some suggestion that God will be merciful, and

will speak peace and pardon.We must wait on the Lord longingly, earnestly desiring to see and experience the salvation and deliverance of God.

VI. The sixth way of waiting on God is to wait quietly.• Lam 3:26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. 

Sometimes we must realize that as bad as things seem, it is by the abundant mercy of God that it is not worse. This is a hard concept to grasp I know. God’s compassion has not failed in the past and will not fail us today nor will it fail us in the future. It is our duty to hope and quietly wait on the salvation of the Lord. 

There is a saying that,

“the wheel that squeaks the loudest gets the most grease.” This is not necessarily true with God. God’s compassion is extended unto those who are of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Instead of kicking, fussing, crying, screaming and feeling sorry for ourselves, let’s resign ourselves to the fact that God is looking out for us. God is my portion and my strength. If he has not helped me

yet, he is taking my character and molding me into a more experienced and mature Christian. 

Rom. 5:3-7 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed

abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 

We must quietly wait and hope for the salvation of the Lord.

VII. The seventh and final way of waiting on God is to wait continually.• Hos. 12:6 Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.Humbly with repentance and with faith in a merciful God we must turn to God, then we must walk, (continually) with him in all holiness and godliness. Why not call upon God for his

promised blessings with an attitude of not giving up until we, with God’s help, prevail. Too often I believe we give up just shy of a miracle taking place in our lives. There is a song that says, “Hold on my child, joy comes in the morning.” Psa. 30:5 For his anger endureth but for a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. 

Blessed be the God of compassion, mercy and strength.

7. Esperar.... Esperar.... Esperar en Dios......Para Mi el significado de esta palabra es "Tiempo".Y en muchas ocasiones sera un "Largo Tiempo" sin embargo, Dios todo lo que hace, es con un proposito, y el esperar no es la excepcion.Mientras tanto, pueden suceder muchas cosas, que

lleguemos a desesperarnos, a dudar, angustiarnos, cuestionar, tratar de ayudarle a Dios y tomar decisiones precipitadas, como lo hizo Sara la esposa de Abraham, Ellos tenian la promesa de Dios, que les daria Un Hijo!Todos conocemos la historia, y sabemos que Sara se adelanto a los acontecimientos y formo su propio plan, para tener un Hijo, el cual fallo por completo, por supuesto que fallaria, nuestros planes

pueden ser muy buenos pero son limitados, nuestro tiempo corre tan de aprisa, sin embargo el tiempo de Dios pareciera que no tiene prisa y sus planes son mejores que los nuestros, Dios nunca falla, ni llega Tarde!Dios no retrasa su promesa, segun algunos la tienen por tardanza.

Romanos 5:4 dice:Porque sabemos que la tribulacion (pruebas o sufrimientos) produce

perseverancia, la perseverancia, caracter, el caracter, esperanza, y esta esperanza no nos defrauda, porque Dios ha derramado su amor en nuestro corazon por el Espiritu Santo que nos ha dado.

Hay un proposito en la espera de la promesa de Dios... Dios esta trabajando en Ti, formando Tu caracter, fortaleciendo Tu Fe.

El Salmista David dijo: Pacientemente esperé a Jehová, Y se inclinó a mí, y oyó mi clamor. Salmos 40:1

La Espera, es el tiempo de Clamar y aprender a esperar con paciencia !

Salmos 46:10 dice:Estad quietos, y conoced que yo soy Dios. 

Dios quiere que aprendamos a confiar y depender de El.Eso significara muchas veces, Estad Quietos y aprender a confiar en Dios, aun cuando las cosas no se ven nada bien.Cuando esperamos lluvia y estamos viendo un cielo azul sin una sola nube en el horizonte.Cuando esperamos en la promesa sin cumplir y no vemos nada que nos indique que lo que esperamos esta en camino.

Cuando todo parece que esta en contra de nuestras expectativas.Cuando vemos las circunstancias que no estan a nuestro favor.Todo esto es solamente la perfecta oportunidad para ver la mano de Dios moverse y obrar milagros!

"Estad Quietos y conoced que Yo soy Dios" dice el Señor.

Porque cuando la noche esta mas obscura, es cuando esta a punto de amanecer!

Por la noche durara el lloro, y a la mañana vendra la alegria. Salmos 30:5

La Fe no espera ver para creer, solo Cree y Obedece!

Dios no se ha olvidado de Ti ni de su promesa, El ha escuchado tu clamor, espera con Fe, con paciencia, con esperanza!

Señor Ayudanos a esperar en Ti, pacientemente, confiadamente, si Tu lo has prometido, lo cumpliras!En Ti esperare, En Ti mi esperanza fundo y no hay

poder en el  mundo contra Aquel que en Dios confia.

8. Las lecciones son parte de la vida que nunca acaban. Aunque la educación formal llegue a su fin, nunca dejamos de aprender lecciones vitales. Las verdades que Dios nos enseña afectan el desarrollo de nuestro carácter, las decisiones que tomamos, y nuestro estilo de vida. Su influencia trasciende nuestra vida terrenal, hasta la eternidad.

9. Una de las lecciones más difíciles en cuanto a la fe que aprenderemos en esta vida, es esperar en el Señor. Quizás usted está enfrentando ahora una decisión crítica y no sabe qué camino tomar. O tal vez ha estado orando por un asunto, pero Dios no le ha respondido. ¿Se trata de una situación difícil o dolorosa que le está consumiendo?

10. En esos momentos, lo único que queremos es tener dirección o alivio inmediatos,

pero Salmo 27.14 dice: “Aguarda a Jehová; esfuérzate, y aliéntese tu corazón; sí, espera a Jehová”. Esperar en el Señor significa mantenernos en nuestras circunstancias o condiciones presentes hasta que Él nos dé más instrucciones. Lejos de estimular la pasividad, este versículo llama a la decisión activa de descansar confiados en el Señor y en su tiempo perfecto. No es el cese de las actividades, sino

la paz de espíritu que nos acompaña durante todo el día.Por qué hacernos esperarLa espera es particularmente difícil cuando una situación es estresante, o demanda una decisión. Pero comprender el porqué Dios no ha respondido nuestras oraciones, dado alivio o dirección, puede ayudarnos a confiar en su sabiduría y tiempo perfecto.

11. A veces, no estamos preparados para dar el

siguiente paso. Dios tiene planes para nosotros, pero a veces nos hace detenernos para cambiar nuestros corazones. Quizás hemos estado tolerando un pecado en nuestra vida, o necesitamos ocuparnos de una mala actitud, o de una manera de pensar pecaminosa. El Señor tiene lugares adonde llevarnos, y conoce aquello que debemos dejar atrás.

12. La demora puede tener el propósito de prepararnos

para su llamado. David fue ungido rey siendo joven, pero pasó muchos años en el desierto, huyendo de Saúl. Por medio de todas las dificultades, el Señor depuró su carácter y agudizó sus habilidades para el liderazgo. Cuando llegó el momento apropiado, Dios lo puso en el trono.

13. Asimismo, Dios puede mantenerle a usted en una situación incómoda, una labor aburrida, o una situación difícil. Pero

recuerde esto: Él le está preparando para algo mucho mejor. Coopere con Dios mientras espera, sabiendo que sus planes son buenos.

14. Es posible que los detalles de la voluntad de Dios no estén todavía donde deberían estar. El Señor es el dueño del tiempo, y Él lleva a cabo su plan con soberanía. No hay oración o ayuno que haga mover su mano antes de que esté dispuesto a actuar. Cuando Moisés vio la opresión de los

israelitas, trató de corregir la situación matando a un egipcio abusivo (Éx 2.11-12). Pero el Señor usó esta situación para enviarlo al desierto por cuarenta años hasta que murió el rey de Egipto (vv. 23-25). Después puso en acción su plan de liberación, utilizando a un Moisés de 80 años mucho más humilde.

15. Tal vez, las demoras del Señor tienen el propósito de aumentar nuestra fe. Si Él nos diera de inmediato todo

lo que quisiéramos, nunca aprenderíamos a caminar por fe. Pero cuando lo único que tenemos es una promesa de la Biblia sin una evidencia visible en la cual confiar, entonces nuestra fe es puesta a prueba. ¿Confiaremos en Él o en nuestras circunstancias? Al aferrarnos confiadamente a la Palabra de Dios, sabiendo que Él nunca ha dejado de cumplir sus promesas, veremos la evidencia de su fidelidad todo el tiempo.

16. Dios quiere enseñarnos perseverancia. Nos guste o no, la capacidad de perseverar en circunstancias difíciles, es un ingrediente esencial de la vida cristiana. Romanos 5.3, 4 (NVI) nos dice que “el sufrimiento produce perseverancia; la perseverancia, entereza de carácter; la entereza de carácter, esperanza”. Nuestras tribulaciones tienen el propósito, no de aplastarnos,

sino de moldearnos a imagen de Cristo. Cuando soportamos la presión con absoluta confianza en el Señor, con su fortaleza y perspectiva, emergemos pareciéndonos más a nuestro Salvador.

17. Posiblemente nuestra atención necesita reenfocarse en Cristo. Es fácil llegar a estar tan absorbidos por nuestros asuntos, que nos olvidamos del Señor, pero nada capta tanto nuestra atención como

una situación difícil o inquietante. Si Dios no se apresura a darnos una respuesta o a solucionar el problema, entonces, en nuestra desesperación, comenzamos a hacer de Él nuestro enfoque principal.

18. Sin embargo, hay una diferencia entre buscar al Señor, y buscar su intervención. Si nuestra única intención es que Él haga a nuestro favor lo que queremos, habremos errado el blanco. Esperar en el

Señor significa estar enfocados en Él, no simplemente en el resultado que deseamos.

19. Cómo debemos esperarEl provecho de nuestro tiempo de espera dependerá mucho de nuestra actitud y disposición mental. Ponerse nervioso y caminar de un lado a otro no solo es inútil, sino que perturba emocionalmente. El Señor sabe qué es lo que hay que hacer.

20. Esperar con paciencia, tranquilidad y confianza. Esta clase de actitud es posible solo para quienes se han sometido a la autoridad de Dios. Si creemos y aceptamos que Él quiere lo mejor para nosotros, y que todo lo hace para nuestro bien, entonces podremos descansar en su derecho de elegir el método y el momento adecuados. Si verdaderamente confiamos en Él, no maniobraremos, no

manipularemos, y no nos apresuraremos.

21. Descanse en la Palabra de Dios. La Biblia es nuestra ancla en los tiempos de espera. Una de las cosas más sabias que usted puede hacer es leer las Sagradas Escrituras todos los días, y pedirle al Señor que le dé pasajes que traigan tranquilidad a su vida. Cuando hojeo mis Biblias viejas, encuentro versículos marcados que me ayudaron en los momentos difíciles. No

confíe simplemente en la oración cuando tenga dificultades o necesite dirección. Aférrese a una palabra específica de Dios, lo que le dará la perspectiva y la promesa de Él para usted. Entonces podrá decir con confianza: “Señor, esto es lo que me has prometido en tu Palabra. Tú nunca vas en contra de tus promesas, y por eso me aferro a esta verdad mientras espero en ti”.

22. Esperar confiadamente, creyéndole a Dios. Después de habernos sometido al Señor y anclado en su Palabra, podemos esperar confiadamente en que su voluntad se hará presente. Él sabe exactamente qué hacer y cuándo lograrlo. El Señor tiene el poder de reacomodar cualquier detalle para llevar a cabo su plan. Lo único que tenemos que hacer es creerle, y esperar su intervención.

23. Impedimentos de la esperaSabiendo que la voluntad del Señor se hace presente en quienes esperan pacientemente en Él, ¿por qué preferimos arreglar las cosas por nosotros mismos?

24. Porque tenemos un estilo de vida apresurado. Estar quietos y esperar la dirección de Dios parece contraproducente, y por eso nos apresuramos a actuar. Además, sentarse en silencio con el Señor toma

demasiado tiempo. Preferimos pedirle orientación en el automóvil de camino al trabajo. Nuestras agendas están llenas, y la perspectiva de pasar un tiempo sin prisas y sin interrupciones para saber qué piensa Cristo, nos parece imposible. Pero es la única manera de escuchar su voz y de saber qué quiere.

25. Porque tenemos una perspectiva de corto plazo. Los restaurantes de comida

rápida y los cajeros automáticos, son prueba de la mentalidad de nuestra sociedad de “tener las cosas ya”. Si duda de esto, observe la impaciencia de las personas cuando están en la fila del supermercado o esperando el cambio de luz en un semáforo. Queremos todo rápido, pero no hay una vía rápida hacia la madurez espiritual, y aprender a esperar en el Señor es un elemento crucial para lograrlo. Nuestra exigencia

de una gratificación inmediata nos ha cegado a los beneficios de la espera, que nos da una recompensa mayor. Al aprender a confiar en el Señor y descansar en su tiempo perfecto, nos beneficia a lo largo de nuestra existencia, y también en el cielo.

26. Porque buscamos la orientación de otros. ¿A quién acude usted cuando no sabe qué hacer? Si toma el teléfono y describe su situación a tres o cuatro

amigos, es muy probable que reciba consejos diferentes de cada uno de ellos. Aunque el consejo de otras personas puede ser útil, siempre debe pasar por el filtro de la verdad de la Palabra de Dios. Convierta en un hábito buscar primero la dirección del Señor antes de cualquier otra. Al fin y al cabo, solamente Dios conoce los planes específicos que Él tiene para usted.

27. Porque dudamos de la ayuda de Dios. Cuando se acerca amenazadoramente la fecha tope para tomar una decisión, o cuando situaciones indeseables siguen sin cambiar, podemos comenzar a preguntarnos si el Señor intervendrá realmente. Nuestras circunstancias gritan: “¡Dios se olvidó de mí!” Pero, el hecho de no poder ver lo que está sucediendo, no significa que el Señor no está involucrado. “El Señor

recorre con su mirada toda la tierra, y está listo para ayudar a quienes le son fieles”

28. (2 Cr 16.9 NVI). Cuando sus ojos no puedan ver la evidencia, confíe en lo que usted sabe que es verdad.

29. Los resultados de la espera¿Qué recibirán los que deciden esperar en el Señor? Ante todo, Él promete escuchar y responder a quienes esperan pacientemente en Él (Sal

40.1) para darles instrucciones claras a fin de que puedan seguir el camino de Jehová (Sal 25.4, 5). También experimentarán todo lo bueno que Él tiene reservado para ellos, porque han permanecido en su voluntad (Lm 3.25).

30. Uno de los resultados más sorprendentes será la renovación de las fuerzas (Is 40.31). Normalmente, nos sentimos fuertes cuando estamos al frente de una responsabilidad, haciendo

planes y ejecutándolos. Pero los caminos de Dios son muy diferentes a los nuestros. Él promete fortalecer a quien se mantenga quieto y en silencio delante de Él, escuchando activamente su voz. El Señor nos da poder para soportar la espera, y cuando finalmente habla, nos da las fuerzas para hacer lo que nos pide.

31. No sé lo que usted está esperando, pero sí sé que si cree en lo que Dios le dice en su Palabra, y descansa

con paciencia en la decisión y en el tiempo perfecto de Él, experimentará un nuevo espíritu de gozo y confianza. Crea en sus promesas y descanse confiadamente en la seguridad de Isaías 49.23: “No se avergonzarán los que esperan en mí”.

32.