Going Deeper in "Waiting is Hard"
Isaiah 55:1-13
55 “Is anyone thirsty?
Come and drink—
even if you have no money!
Come, take your choice of wine or milk—
it’s all free!
2 Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength?
Why pay for food that does you no good?
Listen to me, and you will eat what is good.
You will enjoy the finest food.
3 “Come to me with your ears wide open.
Listen, and you will find life.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you.
I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.
4 See how I used him to display my power among the peoples.
I made him a leader among the nations.
5 You also will command nations you do not know,
and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey,
because I, the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious.”
6 Seek the Lord while you can find him.
Call on him now while he is near.
7 Let the wicked change their ways
and banish the very thought of doing wrong.
Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them.
Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.
8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
10 “The rain and snow come down from the heavens
and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
producing seed for the farmer
and bread for the hungry.
11 It is the same with my word.
I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
12 You will live in joy and peace.
The mountains and hills will burst into song,
and the trees of the field will clap their hands!
13 Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow.
Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up.
These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name;
they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.”
Read the following a few times:
Reflect on the following:
1. What does the invitation to "come, all who are thirsty" teach us about God's abundant grace? How does this invitation connect to our longing and waiting for Jesus?
2. What does it mean to listen so that we may live? How does waiting on Jesus involve actively listening for God's voice?
3. What does it mean to seek the Lord while He may be found? How does this apply to the Advent season as we prepare our hearts for Jesus’ birth?
4. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways." How does trusting in God's higher plans help us during seasons of waiting?
5. How does the imagery of rain and snow remind us of the certainty of God's promises? How does this bring hope as we wait for Jesus’ birth?
6. What does the promise of joy and peace mean for those waiting for the Messiah? How can we live with joy and peace even in times of uncertainty?
7. What does it look like to "wait quietly for the Lord"? How can we cultivate this posture of patience in our lives?
8. How does waiting on God teach us to trust Him more deeply? How is hope intertwined with waiting in your life?
9. How did the disciples respond to Jesus' instruction to wait for the Holy Spirit? What can we learn about obedience and trust in times of waiting?
Challenges on Waiting:
1. Spend five minutes each day in quiet prayer, specifically asking God for patience and trust in His timing. Reflect on how this practice affects your perspective on waiting.
2. Keep a journal for a month, documenting how God is working in your life during a period of waiting. Look back to notice His faithfulness and answered prayers.