"Endurance Through Waiting"
Endurance Through Waiting — Cleaned Transcript
(Opening)
Hello, and welcome to the Kingdom Corner Podcast, where you can propel your faith into even deeper levels as we discuss how to live the Kingdom culture on earth as it is in heaven—just as Jesus prayed.
Here’s your host, Matt Geib.
“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…
They shall mount up with wings as eagles…
They shall run and not be weary…
They shall walk and not faint…”
Teach me, Lord… teach me, Lord to wait.
(Intro)
Hello, hello, and welcome once again to the Kingdom Corner Podcast on this spring day.
You are joining our weekly Tuesday segment:
Kingdom People in the Pages of History — Bringing Clarity in an Age of Confusion.
Today, we continue in our arc on Endurance.
Today’s title: Endurance Through Waiting.
The Nature of Waiting
Some of the hardest endurance is not found in what you’re going through…
It’s found in what you’re waiting for.
When nothing is moving…
When God feels silent…
When the timing doesn’t make sense…
What do you do when you’re asked to wait?
Because waiting is one of the most misunderstood parts of life.
We tend to think:
“If nothing is happening… then nothing is happening.”
But in reality—
Waiting is not inactivity.
It is active trust.
The real challenge isn’t just waiting…
It’s the pressure of timing.
Because waiting is not where life pauses—
It’s where God prepares.
Isaiah 40:31 Insight
“They that wait upon the Lord…”
That word wait carries meaning:
- To eagerly look for
- To entwine oneself with
- To patiently endure
“They shall renew their strength…”
Waiting is not passive—it is relational.
Abraham Lincoln — A Life of Waiting
Let’s turn to history.
Abraham Lincoln.
Born in a log cabin… self-educated…
A rail splitter, store clerk, surveyor, lawyer.
He studied at night after long labor.
His life?
- Repeated failure
- Business collapse
- Political defeat
- Personal struggle
Some estimate 25–30 major failures.
Yet…
He became President during the Civil War.
And here’s the truth:
The presidency did not create Lincoln.
The waiting did.
Biblical Parallel — Jacob
Jacob loved Rachel.
He worked 7 years for her.
Then—deception.
He was given Leah instead.
He worked another 7 years.
14 years of waiting.
But what was happening?
The deceiver…
Was being transformed.
Waiting doesn’t just delay the promise—
It transforms the person.
Noah — Waiting While Building
Noah was told to build an ark…
Before rain even existed.
For over 100 years:
- He built
- He endured mockery
- He kept going
He wasn’t just waiting for deliverance—
He was building what would carry him through it.
Saul — The Danger of Not Waiting
King Saul could not wait.
He stepped into a role that was not his.
Samuel said:
“You have done foolishly.”
And it cost him his kingdom.
Waiting is not about time—
It is about trust.
Personal Illustration — The Butterfly
Children tried to help a butterfly out of its cocoon…
They forced the wings open.
The butterfly died.
Why?
They did not understand the process.
Sometimes what feels like delay…
Is actually development.
Elisha — The Ultimate Picture of Waiting
Now we come to Elisha.
He followed Elijah.
But for years—
He was simply known as:
“The one who poured water on Elijah’s hands.”
No spotlight.
No platform.
Just faithful presence.
Three Tests of Waiting
Elijah tells Elisha three times:
“Stay here.”
Bethel…
Jericho…
Jordan…
Each time Elisha responds:
“I will not leave you.”
This is powerful.
Because true waiting is not passive—
It is persistent alignment.
The Condition
Elijah says:
“If you SEE me when I am taken…”
This is not casual seeing.
It means:
- Watchfulness
- Awareness
- Focus
Elisha refused distraction.
Others talked… questioned… stirred noise…
He said:
“Be quiet.”
Why?
Because waiting requires focus.
The Moment
The chariot comes.
Elijah is taken.
Elisha sees.
The mantle falls.
He strikes the Jordan:
“Where is the Lord God of Elijah?”
And the waters part.
Key Truth
Many were nearby.
But only one was watching.
Application Questions
- Where is God asking you to wait right now?
- What is He forming in you while you wait?
- Are you being faithful… or getting ahead of God?
- Are you waiting with expectation—or drifting in apathy?
The “Frank” Illustration
“The days are long… but the years are short.”
We think time drags…
Then suddenly—
Life is gone.
Waiting can become empty…
Or it can become purposeful.
Ecclesiastes Insight
Life “under the sun” feels empty…
But life under God’s Son is filled with purpose.
Final Truth
Elisha waited—and received.
Jacob waited—and was transformed.
Noah waited—and built.
Lincoln waited—and was prepared.
Saul did not wait—and lost everything.
Closing Exhortation
Waiting is not passive.
Waiting is not drifting.
Waiting is staying aligned.
Staying alert.
Staying expectant.
And when the moment comes—
It comes to those who are still there.
Closing Prayer
Lord, teach us to trust You in the waiting…
When nothing seems to move…
When timing makes no sense…
Give us grace to remain.
Give us courage to stay.
Form in us what only You can form…
So that when the moment comes—
We are ready.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Outro
Thank you for joining us for another Kingdom Corner Podcast.
And remember—
Join us Thursdays and Fridays for the Reading Room.
Stay steady.
Stay faithful.
Remain expectant.
