The same principle of waiting on God applies to our struggles with temptation and sin. We are 100 percent dependent on Jesus for victory over these areas of our life. Waiting on God is a major factor in the victories we have over Satan.
Jesus lives in the Christian through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we have every virtue of Jesus—His love, joy, peace, faith, patience, pure thoughts, etc.—in us because Jesus is living in us. So when we are tempted, we are simply to look to Jesus for deliverance from the temptation. We are to wait on Jesus for the victory.
“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:1, 2).
Referring to those who find the Christian life discouraging, Andrew Murray, the well-known Christian author of a past generation, wrote: “Dear soul! How little they know that the abiding in Christ is just meant for the weak, and so beautifully suited for their feebleness. It is not the doing of some great thing, and does not demand that we first lead a very holy and devoted life. No, it is simply weakness entrusting itself to a Mighty One to be kept—the unfaithful one casting self on One who is altogether trustworthy and true. Abiding in Him is not a work that we have to do as the condition for enjoying His salvation, but a consenting to let Him do all for us, and in us, and through us. It is a work He does for us—the fruit and the power of His redeeming love. Our part is simply to yield, to trust, and to wait for what He has engaged to perform” (Abiding in Christ, p. 23).
Biblical waiting on God is the only true expression of our faith in God. It is the true revelation of our relationship with God. If we truly wait on God, we will never be worried or anxious about anything and never make an impetuous decision, we will have a deep peace in our heart and a calm trustful demeanor, and we will be constantly looking to Jesus for victory over temptation.
How can this be our experience? We must trust God’s promise to always provide for us in everything and believe that He will never disappoint us.
“My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us” (Ps. 62:5-8).
Those ready to meet Jesus will have learned how to wait on God. I pray that the Lord will use these devotional studies to prepare the last generation for the “waiting” that will be required in order to be ready for Christ’s return, because just before Jesus returns God’s people will be thrown into the most difficult time they have ever faced—the time of trouble or tribulation. At that time in earth’s history they will only have God to look to for their daily provision and protection. If they have learned to wait on God, they will be prepared for this challenging time.
Of course, our victory is sure. When Christ returns “He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; the rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the Lord has spoken” (Isa. 25:8).
Personal Reflection and Discussion
1. When Jesus lives in us, which of His qualities do we have?
2. How does the “waiting on God” principle apply to overcoming temptation and sin?
3. How is our waiting on God the true revelation of our faith in God?
4. How can waiting on God become our daily experience?
5. Why is waiting on God important as we approach the last days of earth’s history? Are you personally ready for the time of trouble?
Prayer Activity
• Call your prayer partner and discuss this devotional with him/her.
• Pray with your prayer partner:
1. for God to baptize you with His Holy Spirit.
2. for God to revive you and His church.
3. for God to teach you how to wait on Him for everything.
4. for the individuals on your prayer list.
Excerpt From: Dennis Smith. “40 Days.” iBooks.