4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4,5)
Thoughts: It is often hard to listen to the Lord. For the Lord will tell us to wait. We would rather not just hang around. We want God to come on our terms and at our beck and call. This is why prayer is so hard for impatient production-oriented Americans. But God tells us to wait on His gift. He has a gift- the great gift of Himself- His Spirit coming to live inside of us. Christ came to baptize us- seal us- identify us- call us- cleanse us- by the Holy Spirit.
Waiting on the Holy Spirit is like waiting for the gas to go into the car (or the electric car to get charged up). Without the waiting- there is no going forward. Waiting and receiving the power of God is a part of the process of living and doing God's will. It is poor thinking that living only means doing stuff or being visibly productive. The person who prays is doing important work. The person who waits on God maybe answering the call of God. We do not need to criticize the person who is better at waiting than us. Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength (Isa. 40:30).
In times of trouble, it is important to pray, wait, and hope. It is such a time now.
Prayer: Lord, teach me to wait. Give me the patience and grace to wait on you.
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