While he was meeting with them, he ordered them, “Don’t leave Jerusalem. Instead, wait for what the Father has promised, about which you heard me speak” (Ac 1:4, ISV).
The first disciples understood the command to wait in terms of diligent, persistent and united prayer (Ac 1:14). They knew that it wasn’t about sitting by idly doing nothing. Biblical waiting is not passive, but active. It is about banking on the Promise of the Father. It is based on a revelation of God’s faithfulness to deliver on His promises (Nu 23:19). It involves asking with expectation to receive from our loving Father, seeking with faith to find and knocking with confidence that the door will be opened (Lu 11:9-13).
Both individually and corporately, waiting is about approaching God by faith knowing that He is pleased to reward those who diligently seek Him (He 11:6). May the Spirit teach us the art of biblical waiting! Then our strength will be renewed like that of an eagle; we shall run and not be weary and walk without fainting (Isa 40:31).
Pastor Josh