Digging Deeper – Waiting on God
Once when He was eating with them, He commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift He promised… In just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 1:4-5 (NLT)
WAITING ON GOD
Jesus had just risen from the dead. The disciples were eager. The world was in need. But Jesus said, “Wait.”
That may sound surprising. Why wait when you have the greatest news in history? Because Jesus knew the mission was impossible without the Spirit. The gospel cannot be lived out or shared effectively without God’s power.
Waiting on God is not about inactivity; it is about preparation. It is about learning to trust God’s timing more than our impulses or feelings. The temptation we face is to rush into decisions, relationships, or conversations without seeking God’s direction. But Jesus modeled a different way of living. He made sure to include time alone with His Father in prayer. He was never in a hurry. In fact, He even delayed a day when His friend Lazarus was close to death. Jesus never made a move without considering His Father’s will.
During World War II, General George Patton was told to wait before advancing his troops. Instead of pushing forward out of impatience, he followed orders. Days later, he learned that his delay had prevented his men from walking into a deadly ambush. What looked like wasted time turned out to be divine protection.
Waiting isn’t weakness when it’s obedience. Where do you need to slow down and wait on the Spirit before moving forward? Ask God to prepare your heart and equip you as you wait.
Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Growth at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton. He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.
