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dustydahlin · 3 years

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Waiting upon the Lord

In this session, you and I will be looking at one aspect of life in the Spirit. Specifically, we will discuss what it means to "wait upon the Lord." I believe this is a very important part of the Christian life, but I also believe this concept is easily misunderstood.

Often, waiting upon the Lord is understood passively. Many consider waiting upon the Lord to be solely inactivity. Others consider "waiting" the passive state of waiting for the Lord to do something. These understandings are challenged when you look a little closer at the Hebrew and Greek words for "waiting."

There are around 33 different Hebrew and Greek words that can be potentially translated into our English word for waiting (Lexicon). Starting with the Hebrew, the word most regularly used for waiting upon/for the Lord is קָוָה [qavah] (concordance). As you will see below, this word communicates much more than the sheer inactivity of waiting. At its core, it illustrates the binding, twisting, and tying of a rope. It communicates the strength of something being bound and tied.

(Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon)

In one sense, this can be used of practiced anticipation (expectation) and hope. Many times in the Old Testament, waiting for the Lord can describe actively maintaining one's hope and expectation of good. Psalm 130:5-6 equates the activity of waiting for the Lord to the action of a diligent watchman. It says,

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,

and in his word I hope;

my soul waits for the Lord

more than watchmen for the morning,

more than watchmen for the morning."

Here, Not only is the waiting a diligent activity, but it is also the binding oneself to the Lord in duty and hope.

And again Scripture connects waiting upon the Lord as the action of looking to the Lord through prayer. It says,

"But as for me, I will look to the Lord;

I will wait for the God of my salvation;

my God will hear me" (Micah 7:7).

This connection is also seen in other Scripture like Psalm 38:15 which states,

"But for you, O Lord, do I wait;

it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer."

{Your Next Bible}

This means that waiting upon the Lord can be viewed as the activity of seeking God through prayer, and the attentiveness to listen for his voice. Not only do these passages emphasize the action of waiting, but they demonstrate how waiting for the Lord can be equated to the practiced anticipation of seeking the Lord. This may even implicate the second half of prayer - the sacred art of listening for the voice of the Lord (cf. Psalm 40:1).

Diving a bit deeper, it is always helpful to understand the Scripture in its cultural context. Consulting the Septuagint can further be helpful for this study. The Septuagint (LXX) is a Greek translation of the Old Testament, which was written between 300-200 years B.C. by Jewish scholars. It can be an extremely insightful resource because it can afford us a cultural glimpse into how the Jews would have understood the Hebrew Scripture.

The "waiting" (קָוָה [qavah]) described in the Old Testament is often translated into Greek as ὑπομένω (hypomenō). This is the Greek word for "with" and "remaining/abiding." This is a helpful connection because the concept of abiding is significant in the New Testament.

In the New Testament, we see its significance profoundly rooted in John 15:1-11. In this passage, Jesus articulates the concept of abiding to be the active engagement of a relationship with the Lord which is intended to bear the fruit of good works. This powerfully shows the activity of abiding as being one of bearing fruit from a place of relationship (cf. John 15:4-5).

This connection is helpful because it gives us greater insight into how waiting upon the Lord could have been culturally understood. As already stated, waiting for the Lord would not have been understood as something passive. Instead, it would have been known to be a highly active practice. With this information, we can identify how waiting describes the spiritual practice of engaging God.

{Abiding in Christ}

Prayer:

As mentioned earlier, one of the ways we can actively wait upon the Lord is through prayer. Not only is prayer one of the greatest ways we can actively engage in relationship with God, but it is a means through which we are strengthened (קָוָה - qavah) and bear fruit from a place of relationship (ὑπομένω - hypomenō). This, however, is not a new concept. Many have already pointed out the role of prayer in the practice of waiting upon the Lord!

"The goal of prayer is the ear of God, a goal that can only be reached by patient and continued and continuous waiting upon Him, pouring out our heart to Him and permitting Him to speak to us" (E. M. Bounds).

Prayer fulfills the instruction to wait upon the Lord, in that it intentionally seeks and pursues God. In one sense, it is the pouring of oneself out to the Lord. In another sense, it is the activity of waiting to hear from him. I believe prayer is supposed to include both aspects: 1) The offering of our thanks and requests to God, and 2) the practiced anticipation of listening for the Lord to answer.

"Fall on your knees and grow there. There is no burden of the spirit but is lighter by kneeling under it. Prayer means not always talking to Him, but waiting before Him till the dust settles and the stream runs clear" (F. B. Meyer).

Silence:

Similarly, waiting on the Lord can include the spiritual discipline of silence. This connection can be seen in Psalm 62:1. It says,

"For God alone my soul waits in silence;

from him comes my salvation."

Silence is a great way to actively wait upon the Lord. Many, like Richard Foster, claim that silence is a powerful spiritual discipline in the hands of the Holy Spirit. It is said, “The purpose of silence… is to be able to see and hear” (Richard Foster). With how hurried and noisy the world is, the practice of silence is no less than a spiritual activity. It is a means of grace through which we can wait for the Lord to whisper to our souls.

{Spirit of the Disciplines}

This is what Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes on silence:

“We are silent at the beginning of the day because God should have the first word, and we are silent before going to sleep because the last word also belongs to God… Silence is nothing else but waiting for God’s Word and coming from God’s Word with a blessing. But everybody knows that this is something that needs to be practiced and learned.”

In today's world, silence is probably one of the hardest disciplines to learn and practice. Mostly, we have been subconsciously trained by the world to need and to crave noise and hurriedness. If ever you have attempted to sit in silence and meditate upon God's Word and reflect upon his goodness, you know exactly how difficult this spiritual discipline can be.

Worship:

Also, waiting on the Lord can be understood as the activity of Worship. Not only is worship understood as the singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to the Lord (Col. 3: 15-16), but it is also the act of serving others (Col. 3:17; Rom. 12:1-2). We can engage in waiting upon the Lord through worship-based service.

Although not explicit, Jesus implies service when he instructs the believer to abide and bear fruit in John 15:4-5. Jesus instructs, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." The idea of bearing fruit should not be understood as private and solely for the enjoyment of the individual. Rather, Jesus is referring to bearing fruit publicly - as a form of service and good works that would glorify God.

This concept is more fully seen in verses 8-10. Jesus describes the connection between abiding and keeping the commandments of the Lord. All the commandments of God are embedded in the instruction for the believer to abide in Christ. Loving our neighbors. Sacrificially giving of ourselves for the good of others. Serving others as a means of glorifying God. All the commands and instructions Jesus gave.

But this idea is not just seen in John 15, it is also seen in 1 John 2:6-7. Waiting on the Lord, or abiding in Christ, means walking in the same way as Jesus walked. In this, we can see, again, how worship-based service is yet another way we can practice waiting upon the lord/abiding in Christ (cf. Matt. 5:16).

In the end, these are only several ways waiting on the Lord can be practiced. It must be understood that waiting on the Lord is NOT a passive state of inactivity. Rather, it is the active engagement in relationship with God. Waiting upon the Lord actively seeks God, and it bears fruit from a place of relationship. Truly there are many ways we can wait on God. Being that waiting for the Lord is intrinsically connected to the spiritual disciplines, waiting on the Lord must be understood as a foundational element to the spiritual life in Christ.

"Waiting for God is not laziness. Waiting for God is not going to sleep. Waiting for God is not the abandonment of effort. Waiting for God means, first, activity under command; second, readiness for any new command that may come; third, the ability to do nothing until the command is given" (G. Campbell Morgan). Waiting on the Lord is both the activity of seeking God, and it is the action of joyful obedience to the example of Christ.

#waiting on the lord #waiting upon the lord #waiting for the lord #waiting #abiding in christ #abidinginchrist

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christianlensonline · 4 years

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The Fruitful Christian Life

Have you ever thought of God being a gardener? of course not, I know you will certainly say He is too Powerful to be-little to a mere gardener. Yes, you are right. But in a literal sense, He is “a gardener”. God has planted people including you and I. We are his garden, and he wants us to produce fruit for Him. You and I were created by God for this fundamental purpose, to produce fruit for God. But if we are God's garden, and if we are created to produce fruit for him, we now have to ask the basic questions: What is meant by bearing fruit? How can a Christian bear fruit? What kind of fruit is God looking for in us? What happens to us if we do not bear fruit at all? Well, before we tackle these questions, let us refer to what Jesus told His disciples about bearing fruit. Jesus summarized the answer to these questions in John 15:1–8 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” This is the seventh and the last of the "I AM" statements in the book of John: “I AM the Bread of Life”, “I AM the Light of the world”, “I AM the Gate for the sheep”, “I AM the Good Shepherd”, “I AM the Resurrection and the Life”, “I AM the Way, and the Truth, and the Life”, “I AM the True Vine”. Symbolically, seven in Sacred Scripture is the number of perfection, fullness, and completion. Jesus this time around calls Himself the ‘True Vine’. Now, what did He mean by that? Is he in any way comparing Himself to someone or something that is a “false vine”? Well, in a way. In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel is referred to as God’s vine. They were the branches of a vine through which God blessed the world. The earth benefited from the fruit that God brought through the nation Israel. Every time the metaphor of a vine is used of Israel it is in the context of being fruitless, and God having to cut its branches, always metaphorically having to bring judgment for her disobedience. In Isaiah 5:7 the prophet declares: “The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel.” In fact, the vine had actually become the symbol of Israel. It was the emblem on the coins, and there was a great golden vine in the Temple in front of the Holy Place. But Jesus said, “I am the True Vine”. So in that sense, in comparison to Him, was Israel a false vine? They certainly had become a false and fruitless vine, hadn’t they; in their rejection of the Messiah? Having said that, now let’s move on from the context to the title. But first and foremost let us know that our identity as Christians is formed by the relationship we have with Christ. Jesus gives you your identity immediately after accepting Him as your Lord and personal savior. But that’s not who you were before, apart from Christ. Apart from him, we were fruitless, faithless, and lifeless. In our sinful nature, we bear things such as idolatry, jealousy, dissensions, adultery, fornication, hatred, discord, selfish ambition, envy, drunkenness, and the like. But it was for us dead ones like us that Christ came. For us, he himself died, and then rose again. By His death and righteous blood, He cleanses us from our sins. That is who we are now in Christ. And here’s what he says it is: “You are the branches.” In a vineyard, branches are defined by their connection to the vine. Jesus is the vine, and so your identity is defined by your connection to Christ. And it is in that relationship of branches connected to the vine–that you will bear fruit in your life. That is what naturally happens when branches abide in the vine. We bear fruit as long as we remain connected and continue to draw our life from him. What is meant by bearing fruit? “Bearing fruit” is a supernatural life - being fruitful is a spirit-filled life. The fruit is the manifestation of Christ in your life. Bearing fruit is not optional in the Christian life. What kind of fruit is God looking for in us? And so now, in Christ, connected to him and drawing your life from him, you will bear fruit. What is this “fruit” that we’re speaking of? The fruit of faith consists in all the good works that we Christians do, according to the Ten Commandments, for the glory of God and the good of our neighbor. Love and good works–that’s the fruit that you will bear. Many Christians think the fruit referred to in this context has to do with the gifts of the Spirit—the number of people they have won to Christ, how they prophesied in His name, and all other good works accomplished through their spiritual gifts. But Remember that Jesus cautions us that there are many who called Him “Lord, Lord” who had such good works, who manifested the gifts of the Spirit, but He never really knew them. (Matthew 7:21-23) When Jesus speaks about bearing fruit by abiding in Him, He is speaking about the fruit of the Spirit that comes forth in the lives of those who walk in the Spirit. Paul lists the fruits of the spirit that every believer must bear in Galatians 5:22-23 “ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law”. God also desires the fruits of good works and service to others (Titus 3:14; Matthew 5:14-16; 25:31-46). Read the full article

#abidinginchrist #bearingfruit #bearingfruitasachristian #christianlife #fruit #fruitofthespirit #Galatians5:22-23 #John15:1-8 #truevine

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thetonycross · 6 years

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Words from an old, wise friend #oswaldchambers . What understanding do you have of the salvation of your soul? The work of salvation means that in your real life things are dramatically changed. You no longer look at things in the same way. Your desires are new and the old things have lost their power to attract you. One of the tests for determining if the work of salvation in your life is genuine is— has God changed the things that really matter to you? If you still yearn for the old things, it is absurd to talk about being born from above— you are deceiving yourself. If you are born again, the Spirit of God makes the change very evident in your real life and thought. And when a crisis comes, you are the most amazed person on earth at the wonderful difference there is in you. There is no possibility of imagining that you did it. It is this complete and amazing change that is the very evidence that you are saved. What difference has my salvation and sanctification made? For instance, can I stand in the light of 1 Corinthians 13 , or do I squirm and evade the issue? True salvation, worked out in me by the Holy Spirit, frees me completely. And as long as I “walk in the light as He is in the light” (1 John 1:7), God sees nothing to rebuke because His life is working itself into every detailed part of my being, not on the conscious level, but even deeper than my consciousness. #myutmostforhishighest #abidinginchrist #holyspirit #faith #jesus #newcreation #ledbythespirit #trustingodswork #running #trilife #trailrunning #thecalled #electofgod #bethechange #bethechurch

#thecalled #trailrunning #bethechange #oswaldchambers #electofgod #myutmostforhishighest #abidinginchrist #holyspirit #jesus #newcreation #ledbythespirit #bethechurch #faith #running #trilife #trustingodswork

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udisblog · 4 years

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A na for Abide Abiding in Christ, apart from him we cannot make at all! Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.John 15:4 (KJV) #abide, #abidinginchrist #alphabetography john15v4 #stanthonychurcheffurun #stanthony https://www.instagram.com/p/B6peGMnggXG/?igshid=1jzq0fpul6wvp

#abide #abidinginchrist #alphabetography #stanthonychurcheffurun #stanthony

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witnessandtestimony · 5 years

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Unbroken Fellowship Essential To abide in Jesus is Never To Quit Him For Another Love Or Another Object, but to Remain in Living, Loving, Conscious, Willing Union with Him.

#fellowshipwithGod #ministry #christianity #abidinginchrist #encouragement #WitnessAndTestimony

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thebrandkui · 6 years

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My two adorable girls are Set for #JCCVBS It Began a while back, if your children are home for the holidays, bring them to Church tomorrow & Friday from 9am-4pm Where they'll be taught about Christ, while bonding with others. You also get some you-time 😁 Our Theme: #AbidingInChrist

#jccvbs #abidinginchrist

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godmommywife-blog · 6 years

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I am so thankful to God that I came across this chart! As a wife and a mother we hold many different titles and positions in our home and outside our home. Because of everything we do people would tend to call a woman a “Super Woman”. We are only able to handle everything and do it with grace because we are an Abiding Woman in Christ! God gives us the ability to handle life’s challenges daily and to be able to know who we are in Christ! I thank God for creating me to be an Abiding Woman of God! #GodMommyWife#God#Mommy#Wife#AbidingWoman#AbidinginChrist#abidinginthevine#AttachedtoGod#Godswill#Strongwomen#notsuperwoman

#abidingwoman #wife #strongwomen #attachedtogod #abidinginchrist #abidinginthevine #mommy #god #notsuperwoman #godmommywife #godswill

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noah-axel · 7 years

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We are called to have TUNNEL VISION. A singular focus.

Far too often we find ourselves looking to a million different things, side tracked and pulled away from the thing that really matters. As Christians, and truly, as those who love the Lord and desire him above anything else--even ourselves, this is what we are to be conformed to through the grace and patience of the Holy Spirit.

As we know from scripture, Jesus only did what he saw the Father doing. A perfect example of this TUNNEL vision, looking to the one person (God) as his life and sufficiency.

As we go about our daily business in the non-stop rotations of this world, we must come to love the Lord so deeply and intimately that he becomes the only one we see.

When faced with a difficult situation or circumstance, we don’t look to ourselves for answers, ideas, or direction, but we simply look to the one who gives life and life abundantly. A life that comes forth from a death found in the Son, whom we we’re joined into and raised with.

We are complete in Him, therefore, let us seek to narrow our vision, ignoring the ever growing waves crashing around us; and be encouraged by the Son, in whom we have union and life.

#tunnelvision #crucifiedlife #inhim #lifeabundant #abidinginChrist

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conradrocks · 7 years

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Wanting Jesus

#abidinginchrist #jesus #socialmedia #timemanagement #timemanagementtips

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patuloca · 1 year

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MAN OF LAWLESSNESS The Antichrist will come with power, with signs, and with lying wonders. But all of this is according to the working of Satan, as described in 📖 Revelation 13:13-17. If someone has spiritual power, signs, or wonders, those are not enough to prove they are from God. Satan can perform his own powerful works, either through deception or through his own resources of power. “He is Satan’s messiah, an infernal caricature of the true messiah.” However, the deception can only take root in those who do not receive the love of the truth. These people are ready for the deception of the Antichrist, because they want a lie, and God will send them a strong delusion. 💁🏽‍♀️ They were first deluded, which was their sin; and God sends them strong delusion, and that is their punishment.” "That they should believe the lie": Specifically, God sends them the lie. This isn’t just any lie, but the lie, that has enthralled the human race since Adam. 🤦🏽‍♀️ This is the lie that God is not God, and that we are or can be gods. 👉🏾 God's point is that the anti-Christ will embody all that is profane and blasphemous, every conceivable element of impiety; and that, instead of being rejected, he will be welcome by Jews as well as pagans. That they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness: As God gives rebellious man the lie he desires, it isn’t out of His generosity. Instead, it shows God’s judgment on those who reject the truth. As 📖 Romans 1 points out, in judgment God may give a man up to the depravity of his heart, to his pleasure in unrighteousness. They think that they are acting in defiance of God. But in the end, they find that those very acts in which they expressed their defiance were the vehicle of their punishment. #abidinginchrist #antichrist #eduringwisdom #2thessalonian2 #scripturewithpatu #thefall #manoflawlessness #followingjesus https://www.instagram.com/p/Co4sQ-POHpI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#abidinginchrist #antichrist #eduringwisdom #2thessalonian2 #scripturewithpatu #thefall #manoflawlessness #followingjesus

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