Come Holy Spiritنموونە

WAITING ON THE PROMISE

Waiting is perhaps the hardest spiritual discipline. In our instant-gratification culture, waiting feels like wasted time. Yet throughout Scripture, waiting is portrayed not as passive delay but as active expectation, a posture of faith that positions us to receive God's best.

Jesus' final instruction to His disciples was countercultural: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait." These were action-oriented people-fishermen, tax collectors, and zealots. Yet Jesus called them to wait. The Greek word for "wait" here (περιμένω, perimenō) means to "stay around," to "await eagerly." This wasn't idle waiting but anticipatory preparation.

What were they waiting for? "The gift my Father promised" - the Holy Spirit. Jesus emphasised that this was not a new promise but one they had "heard me speak about." In John 14:16-17 ESV, Jesus had promised: "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever, the Spirit of truth."

The contrast Jesus draws is significant: "John baptised with water, but in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit." Water baptism symbolises cleansing and identification with Christ; Spirit baptism brings supernatural empowerment for ministry. Both are essential, but they are distinct experiences.

David understood the power of waiting in Psalm 27:14 ESV: "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." Isaiah promised that those who wait for the LORD "will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles" (Isaiah 40:31 ESV).

Abraham waited 25 years for the promised son. Joseph waited 13 years for his dreams to their fulfilment. Moses waited 40 years in Midian before his calling was activated. These biblical examples remind us that waiting isn't God's way of delaying our lives but His way of developing our character.

The question isn't whether God is willing to pour out His Spirit; He has promised to do so. The question is whether we will wait expectantly, creating space in our busy lives for the Spirit to fill. Like the disciples in that upper room, will we persist in prayer until the promise comes?

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you to wait with expectancy, not passivity.

Ask for a deeper hunger for the Holy Spirit that makes waiting worthwhile.

Ask for the Holy Spirit to prepare your heart as you wait for a fresh outpouring.