WHY WAIT?
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for your gift of the Holy Spirit. In all ways, I want to hear his voice and follow his leading.
Read ACTS 1:1–11
Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven
1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On 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. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.”
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What are you waiting for in this season? How do you wait?Whatever age we are, waiting—especially for something we expect to enjoy—can be incredibly hard. Like the disciples, so keen to see a kingdom of their own envisioning unveiled, we don’t always understand what we’re waiting for…or why it should be delayed. Thankfully, our times and transitions aren’t in our hands (v. 7), and the One who holds them has far greater plans and purposes than our own. His fulfillment of his promises is far better than our imperfect imagining could ever be, his provision far more glorious.
Faced with the disciples’ eager question (v. 6), Jesus answered not with an ETA, but with a course correction, expanding their horizons from national politics to global salvation (v. 8). In doing so, he called them to continue extending his kingdom, and promised to equip them. I wonder if they had any idea just how much they’d need to overflow with the good gift of the Holy Spirit to carry out their commission.
For the disciples, waiting meant renewed purpose, receiving power and a deepening appreciation of God’s agenda. How significant waiting can be in preparing us to continue our journey in partnership with him!
Apply
When have there been times when God has given you far more than what you were waiting for?
Closing prayer
Lord God, thank you that my times are in your hands. Please give me the grace to see your purposes in my waiting and fill me with expectation as you equip me for the way ahead.
Book and Author Intros
Extras
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