It was a simple message with a stern command: Wait!
And it came in one of a three-part sermon delivered by London-based minister Reverend Gloria Ifill at Messengers For Christ International ministry in Haggatt Hall, St Michael, recently.
Stressing the need to wait on God and not to be too quick to act, Ifill also told her listeners that there were those times when we needed to be still before God.
She said that in today’s fast-paced life it was customary for individuals to run ahead of God without waiting for his lead, guidance and advice.
According to her, “waiting is lacking in the world today and everybody wants everything right now, right here”.
But Ifill noted: “Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.”
Sharing Galatians 4: 4 to 7, she pointed out that often God wanted us to wait “until the fullness of time”.
“God’s clock differs from our clock. When He is working He does not need our help. He showed this when he sent forth His Son free of any interference from man.
“Many times, rather than waiting on God, we make our own decisions only to foul things.”
She added: “Wait is one small word which is lacking in the world today. Everybody wants to be in the fast lane and each person is trying to overtake the other.
“There are two groups of people. Those who wait and those who refuse to wait. Those who wait on the Lord will receive the fulfilment [of whatever He has promised].
“Wait on God,” she warned. “It does not matter how long it takes. Your waiting will not be in vain. Don’t move until you receive what you are waiting for.”
Ifill reasoned that had the disciples not waited in the Upper Room as advised by Jesus Christ, they would not have received the Holy Spirit.
She concluded: “No matter how long you have been waiting. Keep on waiting until you receive the desires of your heart.”
