What does it mean to wait on the Lord? It is an expression used many times, especially in the psalms (cf. Ps. 37:34; 40:1; 52:9; 62:1, 5; 69:3, 6; 123:2; 130:5, 6; 145:15; Prov. 20:22). The frequency of the expression in Psalms is understandable, given that the book focuses on the devotional life of the saints. Below are some things implied by the word wait. They are adapted from a publication put out by Key-Way-Tin Bible Institute, in 2001. Not all will apply equally in a given case, and yet they are each part of the attitude described.
Waiting is resting in patient contentment concerning God’s plan.
Waiting is eager expectation and hope concerning what God is going to do.
Waiting is listening attentively to hear God’s voice through His Word.
Waiting is exercising wisdom to evaluate incoming information and assess priorities.
Waiting is walking in the Spirit, determined to live in faith and obedience, step by step, toward God.
Waiting is praying with thanksgiving–the thanksgiving of faith that trusts the Lord to do what is best.
Waiting is growing. The time of waiting on God deepens our relationship with Him and develops Christian character. (Thus waiting is not a waste of time!)
Waiting is readiness to respond when God reveals what is next.
A good keyword for the book of Hebrews might well be Better (a term used a dozen times in the book). The writer wants to show his Jewish readers that in Christ we have a better High Priest, with a better sacrifice, better promises based on a better covenant, and so on. In the opening verses (Heb. 1:1-3) he refers to the prophets who “spoke in time past,” demonstrating how the Son of God is infinitely superior.
He is “heir of all”–His unique ownership
He is the Creator of the universe–His unique power
He is “the brightness of His [the Father’s] glory–His unique splendour
He is “the express image” of God–His unique nature
He is “upholding all things”–His unique work
He “by Himself purged our sins”–His unique salavation
His is seated “at the right hand of the Majesty on high”–His unique place
There are a couple of passages that speak of the stunted spiritual growth of certain believers. Though there should be signs of development, they remain spiritual babies, existing on a diet of spiritual baby food. One such passage is First Corinthians 3:1-4 in which Paul says that the divisions in the church at Corinth show some of them to be “babes in Christ” (not a complimentary term in the context!).
Another passage is Hebrews 5:11-14. There, the concern is that the readers are not using and applying the truth they know. “Solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (vs. 14).
Either because of sin in the life that is not confessed and forsaken, or because of a lack of diligence in applying God’s Word to daily experience, the individual can fail to progress out of spiritual babyhood. Think of what human babies are like, and you will see a number of applications to carnal, immature Christians!
Babies live on milk and mush. They can’t handle adult fare.
Babies have to be bottle or spoon-fed by others, and sometimes have to be coaxed to eat.
Babies are in many ways weak and helpless, carried about by others, and handed from one to another (cf. Eph. 4:14).
Babies sleep a lot.
Babies are selfish and self-centred.
Babies fuss over little things, and make a lot of noise about them.
Babies can’t discern between what is helpful and what is harmful.
Babies lack self control (e.g. of bodily functions).
When Pilate brought the Lord Jesus before the raucous crowd he said, “Behold your King!” The response of the people was, “We have no king but Caesar” (Jn. 19:14-15). That startling statement needs due consideration. It is true that there was no king on the throne of Israel at the time (cf. Hos. 3:4), and that the Jews were ruled by the Roman Caesar (however reluctantly!). But they did have other masters that controlled their lives. We may, as well! How many of the following hidden rulers dominate our own?
The evidence shows they–especially the Jewish leaders–were ruled:
By Satan, as a part of his kingdom of darkness (Jn. 8:44; Acts 26:17-18; cf. Col. 1:12-14)
By self-centred pride (Lk. 18:11-12; cf. Paul, Phil. 3:4-6)
By tradition and empty ritual, claiming thereby to be righteous (Matt. 23:3; Mk. 7:6)
By expediency, because they saw an opportunity to be rid of Christ, freeing Barabbas instead (Jn. 18:39-40). So much for their loyalty to Caesar; Barabbas was an insurrectionist (Mk. 15:7)!
By materialism, as they refused to believe the spiritual and eternal message of Christ (Matt. 23:14; Mk. 7:11-12)
By a lust for power and position, as they saw their control of the people threatened (Matt. 23:5-7; Jn. 9:33-34; 11:9-11)
By sinful rebellion, because they rejected God’s Anointed (Jn. 1:11; 19:15)
In his discourse before the Sanhedrin (Acts 7), Stephen reviews the history of his people. He speaks of the day when, at the foot of Mount Sinai, they bowed before a golden calf, made with the help of weak-willed Aaron (Exodus 32). “They offered sacrifices to the idol, and rejoiced in the work of their own hands,” he says (Acts 7:41). As Romans puts it, Idolaters have “exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator” (Rom. 1:25). There are many things wrong with the worship of idols. Let’s note a few.
To worship an idol is to reject the revealed Word of God about Himself (Exod. 20:2-6), and reject the general revelation about Him in nature (Rom. 1:19-20).
To worship an idol is to exchange the truth of God about His Person for Satan’s lie (Rom. 1:25). (The lie is that God is not uniquely transcendent, that other beings or things can be His equal or replace Him. The devil himself craved this place (Isa. 14:12-15), and he tempted man with the same deceit (Gen. 3:5).)
To worship an idol is to give what is created that which only the Creator deserves.
To worship an idol is to celebrate the artistic accomplishments of men as though they were creators on a level with God (Acts 7:41).
To worship an idol is folly, given its utter impotence (Ps. 115:3-8; Jer. 10:3-5). (They are called “vanities” in the Bible, I Kgs. 16:13, KJV–empty nothings, but are treated with superstitious reverence by the misguided, cf. II Kgs 18:4.)
To worship an idol opens one to greater temptation, and the influence of demon powers which are at work behind the idols. (This often shows itself in sexual immorality related to idol worship.)
To worship an idol invites the certain judgment of God. He calls Himself a “jealous” God who will brook no rival (Exod. 34:14).
To worship an idol is not something only naked savages or primitive tribes do. God calls covetousness idolatry (Col. 3:5). Any person, thing, or activity (etc.) that begins to consume our time and control our lives can be an idol.
With the month of February we will have another Valentine’s Day celebrating love and romance. Since the concept of love is much distorted by the world, it may be a good time to remind your congregation about the real thing.
Perhaps you could build an entire worship service around the subject, preaching from a passage such as First Corinthians 13. There are some fine hymns on the theme: And Can It Be?; O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go; Jesus Loves Even Me (Bliss’s hymn is a favourite of mine.); My Jesus, I Love Thee (written by a Canadian teen-ager around 1862); More Love to Thee; and The Love of God (with the sublime poetry of that third verse).
And here is a Bible study on the human heart which you are welcome to use with your Sunday School class or study group: The Human Heart.
Have you ever heard of Rest Ministries Incorporated? It is a Christian organization, based in California, that ministers to those who chronically ill or deal with chronic pain. Doctrinally, they are sound on the basics of the Christian faith, and balanced in their view of bodily healing. (While they do not believe in healing-on-demand for all who are sick, they believe God can and does heal on occasion by supernatural means, and by His grace.)
This organization offers a number of helpful resources for your church, or for any individual who copes day by day with physical infirmity. HopeKeepers Magazine is their quarterly publication, providing encouragement and practical tools for living with chronic illness. If you are a pastor, your deaconesses and others in the church will greatly benefit from having a copy of the book Beyond Casseroles–505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend. (Loaded with practical ideas and tips!) They have produced other fine books and Bible studies too numerous to mention here.
The organization also offers help to churches wishing to develop a support group for the chronically ill (HopeKeepers Groups). Why would you want to do that? Because it can provide an exciting new outreach for Christ! Here are some statistics from Rest Ministries to consider: Nearly 1 in 2 Americans has a chronic condition of some kind. And 96% of illness is invisible. The divorce rate for the chronically ill is over 75%. Uncontrollable physical pain is a factor in 70% of suicides. Some 66% of sufferers say if their church started a Bible study for those with chronic illness they would definitely attend.
The Rest Ministries website provides hundreds of pages of resources and links that can be of help with this kind of ministry. About 50,000 people a month visit the site. The overwhelming majority of these feel their church does not understand invisible illness. Visit their official website here: Rest Ministries.
The people of Israel were on their way to the Promised Land, and we read this: “Now Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel [also called Jethro] the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, ‘We are setting out for the place of which the Lord has said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well; for the Lord has promised good things to Israel” (Num. 10:29).
This appeal to Hobab–who was likely the brother of Zipporah, Moses’ wife–provides an illustration of some aspects of the gospel invitation on this side of the cross.
There is personal testimony. ( They told of being “on their way,” just was we are on a spiritual journey.) We have not arrived yet, but we are on the way.
There is a biblical foundation for faith and confidence affirmed (“The Lord has said.”) We are pilgrims under orders from the Lord Himself, and trusting in His Word.
There is a sincere invitation (“Come with us.”) Why not join the company of the committed?
There is a pledge of support. (“We will treat you well.”) That assurance needs to be conveyed to the seeking soul, that the body of God’s people can give loving help for the journey.
There is an expression of hope and the anticipation of future blessing (“The Lord has promised.”) Greater blessings–eternal ones–await us up ahead. Come along and be a part of that.
Second Peter 1:3 assures us “His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness.” So, what are these “all things”?
Knowledge through God’s Word (II Tim. 3:16-17, which assures us by His promises, II Pet. 1:4).
Power through the indwelling Holy Spirit (II Cor. 3:18; Gal. 5:22-23).
Cleansing through the efficacy of the shed blood of Christ and His high priestly advocacy (I Jn. 1:7, 9; 2:1-2; Heb. 7:25) when we falter and fall.
Angelic ministration at the bidding of the Lord (Heb. 1:14; cf. Matt. 4:11; Lk. 22:43).
It should be noted, further, that access to all four of these can be implemented or enriched through believing prayer (Ps. 50:15; 91:14-16; 145:17-20; Isa. 41:10).
The multiplication of Bibles has no end. They are available in every colour and hue, size and shape, with footnotes directed to every age, occupation, and interest group imaginable. Some seem to have merit, and others have little or none. One of the popular current offerings is a large volume called the Life Application Study Bible (LASB). The one I have beside me now uses the New American Standard Bible text, and it was published by Zondervan in the year 2000. However, the study notes were apparently produced earlier by Tyndale House Publishers.
Along with the usual outlines, maps, and background material found in many study Bibles, the LASB has thousands of footnotes intended to show the reader how the text applies to daily life. A noble aim, but does it succeed? In my view the result is certainly mixed. This is not a Bible I would recommend to others. Its publisher claims the LASB is the best-selling study Bible on the market today. That could be a good thing. But perhaps it simply shows the lack of doctrinal clarity and spiritual depth in too many North American churches, and in the people they serve.
Sample a few notes on critical issues and you will find the LASB trying desperately to ride the fence–likely in an attempt to find acceptance with as many as they can, and sell as many Bibles as possible. “How long did God take to create the world?” They are unsure whether it was in six days of 24 hours each, or whether “each day represents an indefinite period of time (even millions of years).” Thus they leave the door open to evolution. And what of the flood of Noah’s day? Was it a worldwide cataclysm, or merely a local event? All the LASB will admit is “a universal flood was certainly possible.”
In matters of Bible prophecy–the rapture of the church, the tribulation, the millennial kingdom–the LASB is chronically non-committal. Some say this, some say that, and it does not really matter anyway. This latter ploy is frequent, and it reflects the common ecumenical cry, “Let’s ignore doctrine and be one big happy family.” So, in discussing whether creation took only six days we read in the LASB, “It is not important how long it took God to create the world, whether a few days or a few billion years, but that He created it just the way He wanted it.” But this is careless and grossly misleading. Far from being “not important,” our understanding of the plain words of Genesis carries with it huge implications about the trustworthiness of the Bible and the high place given to man by his Creator. Even the plan of salvation is affected.
It is not possible in this brief review to deal with some of these things. But I do want to say a word about the life application notes that provide the main rationale for this volume. Some are fine, but many involve simplistic and superficial applications of the text. Further, the editors sometimes depart from the more likely explanation of biblical events to espouse unusual and largely unsupported explanations.
As an example, consider the account of the famine in the land of Canaan in Abraham’s day (Gen. 12:10-20). Instead of trusting the Lord to provide for him in the Promised Land, Abraham heads down to Egypt in search of food. There are indications that he was not walking with the Lord at the time. He immediately conspires with Sarah to deny their marital status, in order to save his own skin. And it is striking that we have no record of him worshiping God until he later returns to Canaan (13:3-4). The LASB rightly describes this as “a test of Abraham’s faith.” But they tell us “Abram passed” the test because he made use of the intelligence God gave him! This book is not recommended.
