Not Yet…, Part 3: What to Do While You Wait

“Wait on the Lord is a constant refrain in the Psalms, and it is a necessary word, for God often keeps us waiting. He is not in such a hurry as we are, and it is not His way to give more light on the future than we need for action in the present, or to guide us more than one step at a time.”

J.I. PACKER

What do we do while we wait?

We keep .

Genesis 6:13-14 (Good News Translation)
God said to Noah, “I have decided to put an end to all people. I will destroy them completely, because the world is full of their violent deeds. Build a boat for yourself out of good timber; make rooms in it and cover it with tar inside and out.”

We keep .

Genesis 37:6-8
[Joseph] said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”
      His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said.

We keep .

Mark 10:46-52
Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus, was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
       Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
       Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
       So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
       “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
       The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
       “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Small Group Questions

1. Have you struggled with trusting God during a waiting season? How did you get through it?
2. Why do you think God asks us to wait? Has waiting ever strengthened your faith?
3. How do you think waiting can shape our relationship with God?
4. There’s an inevitable tension between waiting patiently and waiting actively. What ways have you found to strike the right balance of trust and taking initiative?
5. What reminders of God’s faithfulness have helped you as you wait for his promises?
6. What role does community play in your ability to wait well?
7. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?