Waiting on God means you believe God’s word to be true, therefore when God says wait, you wait. You wait because God will fulfil His promise in His time. Not waiting means that you think going your own way, using your own strength and wisdom, will be better than obeying the creator of the universe. Moses said, Deuteronomy 32:47 “They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” Jesus said, John 6:63 “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.” 68 “Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Not listening to God’s words brings death, not only in this present life but for all eternity. The deception and delusion in the church is that God’s people have believed the lie that God will do nothing if we do not listen to His words of life. Jeremiah 5:11 The people of Israel and the people of Judah have been utterly unfaithful to me,” declares the Lord. 12 They have lied about the Lord; they said, “He will do nothing! No harm will come to us; we will never see sword or famine. 13 The prophets are but wind and the word is not in them; so let what they say be done to them.” Moses describes how severe it is when God’s people do not listen to God’s word. Deuteronomy 29:9 “Carefully follow the terms of this covenant, so that you may prosper in everything you do. 19 When such a person hears the words of this oath and they invoke a blessing on themselves, thinking, “I will be safe, even though I persist in going my own way,” they will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry. 20 The Lord will never be willing to forgive them; his wrath and zeal will burn against them. All the curses written in this book will fall on them, and the Lord will blot out their names from under heaven. 21 The Lord will single them out from all the tribes of Israel for disaster, according to all the curses of the covenant written in this Book of the Law.” Then Moses continues and what he describes has also happened to the church. 22 “Your children who follow you in later generations and foreigners who come from distant lands will see the calamities that have fallen on the land and the diseases with which the Lord has afflicted it. 23 The whole land will be a burning waste of salt and sulfur—nothing planted, nothing sprouting, no vegetation growing on it. It will be like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboyim, which the Lord overthrew in fierce anger. 24 All the nations will ask: “Why has the Lord done this to this land? Why this fierce, burning anger?” 25 And the answer will be: “It is because this people abandoned the covenant of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, the covenant he made with them when he brought them out of Egypt. 26 They went off and worshiped other gods and bowed down to them, gods they did not know, gods he had not given them. 27 Therefore the Lord’s anger burned against this land, so that he brought on it all the curses written in this book. 28 In furious anger and in great wrath the Lord uprooted them from their land and thrust them into another land, as it is now. 29 The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.” Ezekiel 15:7 “And when I set my face against them, you will know that I am the Lord. 8 I will make the land desolate because they have been unfaithful, declares the Sovereign Lord.”
Not only is the church powerless, calamities and disease have fallen on the church for the same reason; disobedience and rebellion. In the previous chapter you read about the blessings and curses. Deuteronomy 28:15 “If you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you: 25 The Lord will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You will come at them from one direction but flee from them in seven, and you will become a thing of horror to all the kingdoms on earth. 25 The Lord will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You will come at them from one direction but flee from them in seven, and you will become a thing of horror to all the kingdoms on earth. 58 If you do not carefully follow all the words of this law, which are written in this book, and do not revere this glorious and awesome name—the Lord your God— 59 the Lord will send fearful plagues on you and your descendants, harsh and prolonged disasters, and severe and lingering illnesses. 60 He will bring on you all the diseases of Egypt that you dreaded, and they will cling to you. 61 The Lord will also bring on you every kind of sickness and disaster not recorded in this Book of the Law, until you are destroyed.” That’s why it is important to understand why the church was to continue doing as Jesus did. Matthew 8:16 “When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.” Luke 9:1 “When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”
God has turned His face from the church, which is why the church must repent. For those who have repented and turned from their wicked ways and returned to God’s word, we are waiting for God’s plan to unfold, the restoration of the church. Although the silence can be deafening at times, we wait because we trust God’s word and believe God will do as He says He will do. Lamentations 3:22 “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” 25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. 27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young. 28 Let him sit alone in silence, for the Lord has laid it on him. 29 Let him bury his face in the dust— there may yet be hope. 30 Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace. 31 For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. 32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. 33 For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone. 40 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. 41 Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven, and say: 42 “We have sinned and rebelled and you have not forgiven. 55 I called on your name, Lord, from the depths of the pit. 56 You heard my plea: “Do not close your ears to my cry for relief.” 57 You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.” 58 You, Lord, took up my case; you redeemed my life. 59 Lord, you have seen the wrong done to me. Uphold my cause!” Lamentations 5:1 “Remember, Lord, what has happened to us; look, and see our disgrace. 2 Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our homes to foreigners. 15 Joy is gone from our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning. 16 The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned! 17 Because of this our hearts are faint, because of these things our eyes grow dim 18 for Mount Zion, which lies desolate, with jackals prowling over it.”
Jeremiah was crying out to God for His people. He was sent to warn them, but they refused to listen, just as God said would happen. Jeremiah 1:17 “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. 18 Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 7:27 “When you tell them all this, they will not listen to you; when you call to them, they will not answer.” Jeremiah 11:8 “They did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubbornness of their evil hearts. So I brought on them all the curses of the covenant I had commanded them to follow but that they did not keep.’” Instead, they listened to the wrong people. Lamentations 2:14 “The visions of your prophets were false and worthless; they did not expose your sin to ward off your captivity. The prophecies they gave you were false and misleading.” Jeremiah 5:30 “A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: 31 The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?”
The remnant of survivors had to wait 70 years for the word spoken though Jeremiah to be fulfilled. Daniel was also calling out to God for His people. He was a captive due to the disobedience of God’s people. Daniel 9:2 “In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. 3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. 4 I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:” Daniel confessed their sin and then asked God to “look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. 18 Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. 19 Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.” Jeremiah also said Lamentations 5:9 “You, Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation. 20 Why do you always forget us? Why do you forsake us so long? 21 Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old 22 unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure.” None of us deserve to be saved but we serve a compassionate God. 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel were all men of God who saw the destruction of the promised land and God’s people because they did not believe God’s word was truth. Israel and Judah did not believe God would pour out His wrath, just as the church today just believes God is a God of love, while ignoring the fact that God is a jealous God. Deuteronomy 4:24 “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” This is why most do not repent. First, they think in their deception and delusion that they have done nothing wrong. Proverbs 30:20 “This is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I’ve done nothing wrong.’” This is the influence of the jezebel spirit. Next God’s people don’t repent because they falsely believe God is Ok with their sin and even if God is not OK with it, He would never allow anyone to go to hell for all eternity, plus most do not really think hell is real or they believe it is only for the worst of the worst and not for someone who simply did not obey God’s word. God’s word is set aside for tradition, experience and reason and those who do so will hear, Matthew 25:41 “‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”
But that is not the case for those who have repented and turned from their wicked ways. Wicked ways are serving a different Jesus and following other gospels, not just sins. God said, Zechariah 1:3 “Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Proverbs 8:17 “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” You may have returned and sought God with everything you have, but God is still silent, and you may still be in captivity. Life may not be going well, in fact, it might even be getting worse and those around you are like Job’s friends. But you have to remember that satan is constantly trying to get you to quit and turn away from God and he is relentless. Revelation 12:9 “The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or satan, who leads the whole world astray.” One of his methods is to tempt you to do it yourself and fix the problem. Often when life suddenly does not go as you think it should, your plans are not being fulfilled and so on, many will blame God and turn away. They will stop reading His word and figure out ways to fix the problems themselves so that life can get back to normal. Sadly, the normal they want to return to is like Israel wanting to return to Egypt.
When we are seeking God, we will be tested and disciplined, and you will fail the test if you turn away and do it yourself and follow your own plans. Jesus said Luke 14:25 “Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” This means our commitment is to God and God alone. Our lives in full submission to God. God does give us this promise. Mark 10:28 “Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!” 29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.” To pass the test, no one or anything can come between us and God when we choose to follow Him wholeheartedly. Paul said, Romans 14:8 “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” Acts 21:13 “I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
This means we have given our lives to serving Jesus. We do this because we have complete faith in God’s word and believe it to be true. This is not about just going to church and celebrating a few special days during the year, of which the church has become very good at. This is about being willing to die for the word of God. Here is an example of young men who were submitted to serving God, even in captivity. Because Israel and Judah rebelled against God, God used the Assyrians and the Babylonians to destroy them. King Josiah’s son was Jehoiakim who did evil in the eyes of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 36:5 “Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord his God. 6 Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked him and bound him with bronze shackles to take him to Babylon.” Others who survived, though there were not many, were taken captive and taken to Babylon. Daniel 1:1 “In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand. 3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— 4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. 6 Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. 17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.” These men show us what it means to trust God with your life, no matter what. From them we learn that no matter what happens to them, they will not turn from God. Waiting on God means you trust that God will keep His word to you.
The king had a dream that he wanted his wiseman to first tell him the dream and then interpret it. Daniel 2:10 “The astrologers answered the king, “There is no one on earth who can do what the king asks! 11 What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans. 12 This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon.” This would include Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. It is here we see their trust in God as they turned to God for the answer. 17 “Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven 20 and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. 23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.” And they were saved, and they gave glory to God when they gave the king the answer. 47 The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.” The king still had a lot to learn about God.
The king of Babylon built an idol that everyone was supposed to bow down and worship. Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, who were now administrators over the province of Babylon, refused to bow to another God and were threatened with being thrown into a fire. Again, they trusted God with their lives and refused. They said to the king, Daniel 3:16 “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” It wasn’t until they were actually thrown into the fire that they knew for sure they were going to be saved. That fire was seven times hotter than normal and the strongest men who threw them in died. Even if it meant they would die, they would never bow down to the image of God. Daniel would also remain faithful and would not turn away from His God. He was also threatened with death but continued to do as He had always done. Those trying to get rid of him tricked the king (Darius) into issuing a decree and Daniel 6:7 “enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. 10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. Much to the king’s dismay “16 the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you! 19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, (He knew what would happen to people who were thrown in the lion’s den. Later we saw Daniel 6:24 “At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.) Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions? 21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty. 23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.”
If you are waiting on God, and trust His word, you will believe that God can still do what you just read today. It is not just an old, old story from long ago. It is also important to understand that not all will be saved, and some will die standing firm in their faith. As the three men said, “even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” We see in Hebrews 11:36 “There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them.” Jesus said Matthew 23:34 “Therefore I am sending you prophets and sages and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town.” John 16:2 “They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.” This all depends on God’s plan and us submitting to the plan no matter what. It is not up to us to decide how God will use us. Our job is to submit wholeheartedly to God’s plan no matter what.
Job’s wife said to him, Job 2:9 “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die! 10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” No matter what happened, Job refused to turn away. Later Job would say to his so-called friends, Job 27:2 “As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice, the Almighty, who has made my life bitter, 3 as long as I have life within me, the breath of God in my nostrils, 4 my lips will not say anything wicked, and my tongue will not utter lies. 5 I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity. 6 I will maintain my innocence and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live.” Jesus also told us, Matthew 10:16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” They tried to kill the apostle Paul many times. Acts 23:12 “The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.” Paul was totally committed to serving God no matter what. A prophet told Paul, Acts 21:11 “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’” 12 When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” God had a purpose for Paul. Acts 9:5 “The Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Paul knew he would suffer but would serve God with His life. When we serve God, we do not need to be afraid. Psalm 56:11 “in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?” Isaiah 12:2 “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”
As you wait on God, you may or not be threatened with lions or blazing furnaces or death, but if you are serving God wholeheartedly, satan will oppose you and you will be tested and disciplined by God. Not only will we be tested and disciplined, but we will also be persecuted. Persecution could be part of your testing. Paul said to Timothy, 2 Timothy 3:10 “You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it.” Stephen preached right up until he was murdered. He was one that God used in a powerful way, but he would die. Stephen was totally committed, filled with the Spirit and God was with him. Acts 7:54 “When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. Yes, God could have saved Stephen, but God had a plan. Now if you read the passage, you will see I left out a verse in the section above. While they were stoning him, the passage included “Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.”
As we read above, God had a purpose for Paul and the New Testament is filled with the writing of Paul. Later Paul would share about his previous way of life. Acts 22:3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. 4 I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, 5 as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.” Then Jesus changed his life and called him to serve. “‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’ 8 “‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked. ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting. Jesus said ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. 15 You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard.” Paul then said in his testimony, 19 “‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you. 20 And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’” I believe killing Stephen and persecuting the church was his thorn in the flesh.
No matter what, Stephen and Paul preached the gospel. Waiting on God is trusting His word so much so that no matter if all hate you or even try to kill you (that could be gossip also), you will stand firm. As Jeremiah said, Jeremiah 20:8 “the word of the Lord has brought me insult and reproach all day long.” But then Jeremiah said, but the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail.” Micah said Micah 7:7 “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. 9 He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness. 10 Then my enemy will see it and will be covered with shame, she who said to me, “Where is the Lord your God?” Waiting is about being ready to serve God. Waiting is not only for ourselves, but the church doing as Jesus intended it to do. We are waiting for David’s’ temple to be restored. Amos 9:11 “I will restore David’s fallen shelter— I will repair its broken walls and restore its ruins— and will rebuild it as it used to be.” This passage is also quoted in Acts 15:16 “‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, 17 that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’— 18 things known from long ago.” Jeremiah 32:26 “Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: 27 “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 33:11 “Give thanks to the Lord Almighty, for the Lord is good; his love endures forever.” For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,’ says the Lord.”
Waiting on God no matter what is training for the task He has planned for you. For each of us, God has a plan just as God had a plan for Joseph. God started that plan when he was a young man. God gave Joseph dreams, and his family betrayed him in jealousy. His brothers left him for dead as they had no idea he would survive, but God took him to Egypt and there he suffered but was also blessed at the same time. Genesis 41:50 “Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. 51 Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” 52 The second son he named Ephraim and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.” He was a slave, accused of rape, and a prisoner but God was with him. Genesis 39:2 “The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.” Even though he was falsely accused of rape, even in prison, 21 the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” While in prison, Pharoah had dreams and Joseph was able to interpret them. Genesis 41:25 “Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 32 The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.” Joseph already had dreams about event and there was a lot of loss and suffering since he had those dreams but now what God had planned to do with Joseph would be revealed. 39 “Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.” 41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. 43 He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and people shouted before him, “Make way!” Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” When Joseph had those dreams as a young man, and Genesis 37:10 “when he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” 11 His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.” Turns out, yes, they would. Genesis 42:6 “Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the person who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground.”
Yes, God had a plan for Joseph, but God had a bigger plan to save His people and then give them the Promised Land as he had said to Abraham. The amazing dreams that Joseph had would bring out the hatred of his brothers and Joseph ended up in Egypt as a slave, cut off from his family and land. I am sure that Joseph did not see his life being played out that way, but no matter what, he was faithful to God. This was a tough journey for Joseph. Genesis 37:2 “Joseph, a young man of seventeen. 5 Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.” Genesis 41:46 “Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” That’s around 13 years he had to endure. Joseph interpreted Pharoah’s dreams and said, Genesis 41:28 “It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, 30 but seven years of famine will follow them.” And then when Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, he said Genesis 45:6 “For two years now there has been famine in the land ( 9 more years), and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping.” So, for around 22 years he had not seen his family nor did he know if they were alive as the famine was severe.
When he does see them for the first time, it appears he was angry and rightly so. Genesis 42:8 “Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. 9 Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected.” He could have easily had them all killed where they stood. It is here we see the guilt the brothers carried all these years. 21 “They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come on us.” Genesis 42:22 “Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.” 23 They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter.” After Jacob died, his brothers were still fearful about what Joseph might do to them. Genesis 50:15 “When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. 18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said.”
After the initial shock of seeing his family again, and realizing his father was alive, he shared God’s plan with his brothers. Genesis 45:4 “Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. 9 Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. 10 You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. 11 I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’” Genesis 50:19 “But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.” This is a key verse to understand when serving God, “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.”
When we serve God with our lives, no matter what, we must trust God’s plan. Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.” God’s straight paths look different than ours, as we saw with Joseph, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, Job and Paul. We must trust God with our lives and know that as Paul said Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” God working for the good is much more than getting a new job or a house. God has a plan for each of our lives that serve His purposes. God’s people tend to put their own purposes first. Joseph had no idea that he would be second in command of all of Egypt, nor did he know about the suffering he would go through but he remained faithful. God’s plan often involves trial, persecution, and suffering but that is all part of God working for the good of those who love Him. So often people turn away from God instead of remaining faithful because they do not understand the good that God is doing. God is looking to strengthen those who are totally committed to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” Those who are totally submitted to God will get even stronger. Isaiah 43:1 “But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
Serving God wholeheartedly mean standing firm on His word and promises no matter what comes your way. You have tested the spirits and are following the truth. You are also waiting for the church to be restored to once again to do as Jesus did. That means power and authority will return to the church. Yes, there will be great opposition to that, just as Jesus himself had, but we must stand firm on His word no matter what. Matthew 24:10 “At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” When we stand firm on God’s word, we have nothing to fear. Isaiah 50:7 “Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. 8 He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! 9 It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who will condemn me?” The trials, discipline, testing and suffering all serves God’s purpose for your life. As Job said Job 23:10 “when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. 11 My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. 12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.” Jeremiah 20:8 “The Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail.”
We go through testing, trials and discipline so that God can use us according to His plan. Deuteronomy 8:2 “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.” How can God use us if we won’t follow His commands. He won’t! God answered Jeremiah’s complain and said Jeremiah 12:5 “If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan? 6 Your relatives, members of your own family— even they have betrayed you; they have raised a loud cry against you. Do not trust them, though they speak well of you.” This is war and we are being trained for battle. Psalm 144:1 “Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” We saw how just one person being faithful to God no matter what saved so many lives. Through Joseph, God saved the remnant. The impact of the book of Job has enabled many to persevere and not give up. Stephen preached the gospel and died in front of Saul, who would become the apostle Paul. Abraham, Esther, David, Rahab, Ruth, and Joshua were faithful to God.
When the trials appear to be too much, always call out to God even more for your strength and protection. Many head to the bookstore or the internet to see what the gurus have to say instead of calling out to God and focusing of God’s word. Hebrews 12:1 “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” When Peter took his eyes off of Jesus while walking on the water, he sank. Matthew 14:29 “Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, Lord, save me! 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. You of little faith, he said, why did you doubt?” Some even turn away and stop following. Jeremiah 5:23 “But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts; they have turned aside and gone away.” 1 Timothy 5:15 “Some have in fact already turned away to follow satan.”
King Saul became jealous of David. 1 Samuel 18:28 “When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days.” He also wanted him dead. 1 Samuel 19:10 “Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him as Saul drove the spear into the wall. That night David made good his escape. 11 Saul sent men to David’s house to watch it and to kill him in the morning. But Michal, David’s wife, warned him, “If you don’t run for your life tonight, tomorrow you’ll be killed.” 1 Samuel 23:14 “Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.” David could have killed Saul but said 1 Samuel 24:6 “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord. 12 May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. 5 May the Lord be our judge and decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me by delivering me from your hand.” Saul said 19 “May the Lord reward you well for the way you treated me today. 20 I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands.” God protected David and made him king. 2 Samuel 22:1 “David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. 2 He said: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; 3 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior— from violent people you save me. 4 “I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies. 7 “In my distress I called to the Lord; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears. 17 “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. 18 He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. 19 They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. 20 He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. 31 “As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. 32 For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? 47 “The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior! 48 He is the God who avenges me, who puts the nations under me, 49 who sets me free from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from a violent man you rescued me. 50 Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.” Jeremiah 15:11 “The Lord said, “Surely I will deliver you for a good purpose; surely I will make your enemies plead with you in times of disaster and times of distress. 19 Therefore this is what the Lord says: “If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them. 20 I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you,” declares the Lord. 21 “I will save you from the hands of the wicked and deliver you from the grasp of the cruel.”
During this time of testing, there can be times when our enemies appear to be too strong for us and we feel like we are not going to make it. This is when we hold on even tighter to the flawless word of God and call out to Him to save us. Jonah 2:1 “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. 9 But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’” If you have made a vow to God, keep it. Ecclesiastes 5:4 “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. 5 It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.” God will hear our cry and when the appointed time arrives for God’s plan to unfold, we will be used by God for His purposes. When the testing comes to an end (God’s timing), be ready to be used by God. Luke 12:35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.” God said to Jeremiah, Jeremiah 1:17 “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. 18 Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.” Each of us has an appointed time. At Passover Jesus said, Matthew 26:18 “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near.” After all those years in the desert, God said Joshua 1:2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’”
No matter what is happening around you, don’t give up, but keep your eyes on Jesus, God’s word. Hebrews 10:32 “Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” 38 And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” 39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.” Romans 4:18 “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” Hebrews 6:3 “When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.” Psalm 40:1 “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. 4 Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. 14 May all who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. 15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be appalled at their own shame. 16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!” Nahum 1:3 “The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. 7 The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, 8 but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.”
The apsotle Paul remained confident in the Lord. When warning about certain people, Paul said 2 Timothy 4:16 “At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 2 Timothy 1:11 “And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. 13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.” The question is are you convinced that God is able? Jesus said Acts 9:16 “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Paul never gave up and remained faithful. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”
