God’s Waiting Room
Key Scriptures: Luke 1:11-20
Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.
He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
Lesson One: Your waiting is not wasted.
Luke 1:11-13, Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.
A. God is working in you
B. God is working in others
C. God is working in ways you could never know
Lesson Two: Your waiting is not weakness.
Isaiah 40:29, He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Lesson Three: Your waiting will be rewarded.
Luke 1:14-17, He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
God’s Promises:
1. I’ll never leave you or forsake you. (Matthew 28:18-20)
2. My mercies are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
3. My grace is enough for you. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
4. I have good plans for you. (Jeremiah 29:11)
5. You’ll spend eternity with me. (John 3:16)
6. The hard times will not last. (2 Corinthians 4:17)
7. I’m working for your good. (Romans 8:28)
8. You’re more loved than you can imagine. (Ephesians 3:18)