Keeping Watch With Jesus! | Psalm 138:8, Hebrews 11:32-40, Hebrews 12:1-4

I encourage you to begin every morning by saying, The Lord will work out his plans for my life. I know he will. Listen, if you’re waiting right now, you’re in good company. Jesus waited too. So, what was He waiting for? Well, we’re going to get into that in a few moments, but first, we’ve got to go back in time. We’re going to walk through the hall of faith today in the Bible. Isn’t it true that when you’re waiting your faith grows? The waiting room is fertile soil for great faith. Join me in Hebrews chapter 11 as we dig into this today.

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Transcription:

How weird would it be if you walked into your favorite restaurant and you saw Tom Hanks and his wife Rita, waiting for a table? It just wouldn’t happen, would it? Somebody would say, that’s Tom Hanks. We’re going to find a table for him. But do you know that even Jesus waited, and it was for something really good, for a really important reason? I hope that encourages you as much as it does me today. Welcome to the Bible for Busy People. My name is Erica, and I want to kick off our time together with Psalm 138:8.

The Lord will work out his plans for my life, for your faithful love. Oh Lord, endures forever.

Ah, isn’t that beautiful? Isn’t that a cool thing? You could begin every morning by saying, the Lord will work out his plans for my life. I know he will. Listen, if you’re waiting right now, you’re in good company. Jesus waited too. So, what was he waiting for? Well, we’re going to get into that in a few moments, but first, we’ve got to go back in time. We’re going to walk through the hall of faith today in the Bible. Join me in Hebrews chapter 11, because isn’t it true that when you’re waiting your faith grows? The waiting room is fertile soil for great faith. Okay, so Hebrews chapter 11, beginning in verse 32.

How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. By faith, these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength.

Did you hear that?

Their weakness was turned to strength?

That’s huge.

They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight.

That’s so important that you notice that I’m noticing it with you. They became strong. Sometimes you got to sit in the waiting room and trust the Lord to become strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Verse 35.

Now, women received their loved ones back from death, but others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection some were geared at and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning. Some were sawed in half and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute, oppressed, and mistreated. They were too good for this world. Wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised for. God had something better in mind for us so that they would not reach perfection without us.

What stories! All of these amazing people who lived real lives in the Bible could tell. I’m sure one day you and I will be drinking cup after cup of coffee and hearing them tell these stories and we’ll be able to tell our stories about how God was faithful no matter what, even when he didn’t answer our prayers, even when he doesn’t. I’ll keep it in the present there. Okay, now we’re going to find out what Jesus was waiting for. The reason we walked through the Hall of Faith today in Hebrews chapter 11 is because of the first verse in our passage for today. Join me one chapter over in Hebrews 12, beginning in verse one.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith,

All those people you and I just read about for context.

let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up and let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because here we go. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up after all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

So why did Jesus endure the cross? Of course we know the number one reason is because he gave his life. He was the lamb of God who took away the sins of the world. He gave his life for me. He gave his life for you. He opened the door to heaven so you and I could be made right with God again. So that we could have peace now and eternal life forever, In a perfect place where there are no waiting rooms, where there are no Kleenex box, where there are no Kleenex boxes needed. He endured the cross for that reason. And also, did you read it? Did you catch it? For the joy awaiting him. Whatever you are waiting for today, I can tell you with 110% certainty that joy is on the other side.

The Bible promises that when you and I sow in tears, we will reap with joy. That’s a promise in the Bible. Now, does it mean that all of our prayers will be answered exactly the way we pray them on this earth? It doesn’t. You and I just studied Hebrews chapter 11. Some of the people had their prayers answered, others did not receive all they asked for, but they are all on the other side. Now they’re in heaven with God and they have had nothing but joy since they closed their eyes and died and found true life. So I can tell you, there is joy on the other side of the door of the waiting room you’re in right now. There is joy after your Holy Saturday. Just think of Easter Sunday. God keeps his promises. Until next time, you are loved.

Thank you so much for listening to the Bible for Busy People. If you need prayer or you’re ready to go a little deeper in your faith, we’ve posted some resources for you in our show notes. We’d love for you to share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review. It helps us reach even more people with the hope of Jesus. This podcast is part of Purposely, a podcast network designed with practical podcasts to help you find and live in God’s purpose for your life.

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