This Is the Way: A 30-Day Journey Through the Book of ActsSample

He Will Fulfill What He’s Promised

By Phillip Hunter

He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." —Acts 1:3-5 (ESV)

I’ve never been good at waiting! When I was a kid, it seemed so boring to wait. In my youth it felt frustrating to wait. And now that I’m older, I recognize waiting reveals how much I hate not being in control. So why does God make waiting a part of our experience? Is it simply because good things come to those who wait?

After Jesus rose from the dead, He spent almost a month and half with His disciples speaking to them about the kingdom of God. They had been listening to Jesus for years, yet there were so many things they still needed to understand. Before the cross, they were spiritually dead men trying to figure out the things Jesus spoke about in His parables. But on Resurrection Sunday, Jesus entered the room where they were gathered and told them to receive the Holy Spirit. I believe this was the day they were born again and could understand Jesus’ teachings in a whole new way.

I bet Jesus loved finally getting to tell them truths they could never comprehend before they received the Holy Spirit. I love to think that He told them how to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. Maybe He told them they could live and be guarded by His peace no matter what they would endure. And I wonder if He explained that the moment they take their last breaths here on earth they will breathe their next breaths in God’s glorious presence.

Jesus shared all these amazing truths with them, yet He also told them to wait for the promise from the Father—the baptism in the Holy Spirit. He told them that when they’re filled with the Holy Spirit, they will receive power. He told them they will be witnesses unto the whole world! These seem like really great things to be fulfilled, so why did Jesus choose to make them wait to receive the promise rather than just giving it to them right away?

The Bible says faith comes from hearing the Word of God, but it also teaches that growing in our faith includes persevering in waiting seasons. In my life there’s a level of faith that builds from hearing a message, but there’s an enduring faith that’s been necessary to receive the things God has promised. The Bible talks about persevering in our faith and the blessings that come while we’re in the middle of believing for a promise. It’s been in the waiting that God has developed me, matured me, and made me to look more like Him.

As I examine the season I’m in, I see several promises I’m waiting for the Father to fulfill. How about you? Is there a promise you’re waiting for God to fulfill? Is it healing? Is it a financial situation? Is it a restored relationship? All those are important, and we believe God’s promises are “Yes and Amen!”

Still, there’s something God is doing in your life in this season that’s deeper and more fruitful than just the fulfillment of the promise. We all have an inner clock keeping track of how long we think something should take. If it takes longer than we think it should, it tempts us to give up. Please don’t quit! Let me paraphrase Paul in Galatians 6:7–10: do not grow weary in doing good, God will not be mocked, you will reap what you sow. Choose to please the Spirit while you wait, because in God’s appointed time you will receive the promise!

The prophet Isaiah said, “In the path of your judgments, OLord, we wait for you; your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul.” (Isaiah 26:8 ESV). I mentioned how waiting reveals to me how much I hate not being in control. If I can control the promise I’m waiting on, I get the credit. When I wait for God to act, I give God a chance to show what only He can do. God gets all the credit and all the glory!

My challenge to you is for your heart posture to be like the prophet Isaiah and that you’ll say, “In every season I trust You, God. I trust Your judgment. The desire of my soul is for Your name to be known and made great in my waiting. I want You to receive all the glory!”

Prayer

Lord, You know the promises I’m waiting on in this season. You also know Your appointed time for them to be fulfilled. Do what You want to do in me during the waiting. I ask for the ability to persevere with joy. And may You receive all the glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Activation

• Identify and write down every promise you’re waiting for God to fulfill. Then spend time in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit for patience and perseverance and to help you surrender to whatever He wants to do in you in the waiting. Then keep believing for the promise!
• As you go about your day, notice moments where you feel the need to control outcomes—whether at work, home, or in relationships. Each time you sense this, pause and remind yourself of Isaiah 26:8. Then say a quick prayer of surrender, telling God that you trust Him to work things out in His way and timing.

For Further Study

Acts 1; Romans 4:18–22; Romans 5:3–5; James 1:2–8

Holy Spirit, what are you saying to me?