And it is there that I choose to await His promise...

  - Patrick, Confession (British, 5th century)

And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father...

  - Acts 1.4

Patrick was referring to Ireland and his determination to continue "there" waiting for the promise of God. The "promise" to which he referred was a great harvest of new believers that would come as a result of his work.

Waiting for God's promise is not a passive occupation. We don't just sit around and wait for God to do something, glancing at our watches every now and then, wondering when He's going to show up. Waiting on God is an active discipline that finds us doing each day what is immediately at hand, according to our unique callings from the Lord.

The Apostles went back to Jerusalem to "wait for the promse of the Father," and they immediately got busy in the work of prayer, and in selecting a replacement for Judas. They, too, understood that "waiting" is an active discipline. They were waiting for the coming of the Spirit as they labored in prayer, and they were not disappointed. Patrick was waiting for a great harvest as he persisted in preaching and serving the lost people of Ireland. He, too, was blessed with abundant results.

What both these situations have in common is a clear understanding of what God had promised and a devotion to working so as to prepare the way for the promises of God to come to fruition.

God promises; we work to prepare. We need to make sure we understand all that God has promised us, and then we must take up each day whatever work is at hand that can prepare the way for God to do what He intends.

God has promised that He is able to transform you increasingly into the image of Jesus Christ. Are you preparing daily for Him to do that, by seeking Him in His Word, submitting to the Spirit, and engaging God in His glory (2 Cor. 3.12-18)?

God has promised that we will be His witnesses in the power of His Spirit. Are you preparing for that by reaching out to the people around you, getting to know them, praying for them, engaging them in conversations, and keeping an eye open for doors of witnessing opportunity?

Jesus has promised that the works He did we also shall do, and greater works than these. Are you taking the initiative with the people and situations around you that will find you in the role of servant or prophet, as the case may be?

God has made exceeding precious and magnificent promises to us, and by them He intends to bring us into His very presence and glory (2 Pet. 1.4). Are you waiting on those promises by preparing daily to meet with the Lord, walk with the Lord, and serve and bear witness in His Name and power?

If you're not waiting on the Lord like this, well, what are you waiting for?

T. M. Moore, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.