Patience to Wait
The sermon emphasizes the importance of waiting on God and trusting in His activity, rather than trying to do things in our own strength.
William Graham Scroggie emphasizes the importance of waiting on God, highlighting the grace of patience as a rare virtue. He illustrates the contrast between Passion, who is discontented and unwilling to wait, and Patience, who is quiet and willing to trust God's timing. Scroggie explains that waiting on God is not about being idle but rather a demonstration of spiritual faith, confidence, insight, foresight, and self-discipline. He points out that as we wait on God, He is actively working on our behalf, and there are certain things He can only do for us when we patiently wait for His timing.
Text
"...what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him"
(Isa. 64:4).
I suppose most people find it difficult to wait. The grace of patience is not common. "In a little room sat two children, each one in his own chair. The name of the eldest was Passion, and the name of the other Patience. Passion seemed to be much discontented, but Patience was very quiet. Then Christian asked, What is the reason of the discontent of Passion? The Interpreter answered, The Governor of them would have him stay for his best things till the beginning of next year, but he will have all now. But Patience is willing to wait." Milton was of the same mind as Bunyan, when of the angels he said, "They also serve who only stand and wait." Such waiting does not imply indolence or indifference, but is an evidence of spiritual faith and confidence, of true insight, and forsight, and of self-discipline also. While in this worthy way we are passive, our God is active. He works for those who wait for Him. There are some things which He can do for us only as we wait. Blessed passivity, which calls forth such activity! Of course, it is also true that in other things God will wait while we work. He will not do for us what He has bidden us do for ourselves, even as we cannot do for ourselves what He has undertaken to do for us. Thus we become "workers together with God." Are you waiting at His bidding? "Ye shall not need to fight in this battle; set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you; fear not, nor be dismayed."
Sermon Outline
- I. The Value of Waiting
- A. Waiting is not indolence or indifference
- B. Waiting is an evidence of spiritual faith and confidence
- C. Waiting is an opportunity for God to work
- II. God's Activity in Waiting
- A. God works for those who wait for Him
- B. Waiting allows God to do things for us that we cannot do for ourselves
- III. Our Role in Waiting
- A. We must be passive and trust in God's activity
- B. We must work in conjunction with God's activity
- C. We must trust in God's timing and plan
Key Quotes
“They also serve who only stand and wait.” — William Graham Scroggie
“Ye shall not need to fight in this battle; set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you; fear not, nor be dismayed.” — William Graham Scroggie
Application Points
- We must learn to trust in God's timing and plan, rather than trying to control everything ourselves.
- Waiting on God allows us to experience His activity and power in our lives.
- We must be passive and trust in God's activity, rather than trying to do things in our own strength.