Why is waiting on the Lord crucial for overcoming personal grievances? Key Verse: Proverbs 20:22 “Do not say, ‘I will avenge this evil!’ Wait on the LORD, and He will deliver you.” Why Waiting Matters More Than Striking Back • Retaliation replaces God’s justice with our own limited perspective. • Waiting signals trust that the Lord both sees the wrong and has power to set it right. • The verse promises deliverance, not merely relief—God actively rescues, He doesn’t just soothe feelings. What Happens When We Rush to Avenge • We step outside God-ordained authority (Romans 12:19). • We stir up anger that “does not bring about the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:20). • We risk multiplying conflict, creating new grievances rather than resolving the old. Blessings Attached to Waiting • God’s vindication: “He will deliver you.” • Renewed strength while we wait (Isaiah 40:31). • Inheritance of peace and stability (Psalm 37:7-9). • Christ-like witness—following the pattern of Jesus “who entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23). Practical Ways to Wait on the Lord 1. Pause and pray before reacting. 2. Recall specific promises (keep verses handy). 3. Surrender the timeline; let God decide when and how deliverance arrives. 4. Do good in the meantime (Romans 12:20-21). 5. Seek wise counsel to stay accountable in patience. Supporting Scriptures • Romans 12:19 – Leave room for God’s wrath. • Psalm 37:7-9 – Be still; refrain from anger. • Isaiah 40:31 – Strength renewed in waiting. • 1 Peter 2:23 – Christ’s example of non-retaliation. • Matthew 5:44 – Love and pray for enemies. Takeaway for Today Waiting on the Lord is not passive; it is an active choice to trust His perfect justice, gain His strength, and reflect His character. Personal grievances lose their grip when we let God be both Judge and Deliverer. |
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