THIS WEEKS MESSAGE
FAITH OVER FEAR
Faith In The Waiting-Room
Pastor Doug Heisel – September 7, 2025
Overcoming fear when a promise seems to be on hold:
On the way to the GREATER thing, be faithful in the LESSER things.
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.” Genesis 17:1-2
Then God said to Abraham, “Your responsibility is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility. This is the covenant that you and your descendants must keep: Each male among you must be circumcised. Genesis 17:9-10
2. Trust God’s GOODNESS even when you do not understand His TIMING.
The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would. And Abraham named their son Isaac. Eight days after Isaac was born, Abraham circumcised him as God had commanded. Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born. Genesis 21:1-5
3. Put your trust in God being your PROVIDER even when the PATH is different than you imagined.
Genesis 22:1-2 — Some time later …God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
Genesis 22:9-14 — When they arrived at the place where God had told him to go, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. Then he tied his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice.
At that moment the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Yes,” Abraham replied. “Here I am!” “Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.”
Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”
Romans 4:20-22 — Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises.
4. With God, assume MORE is going on than you can see right now. Don’t give up — God’s plans are greater than your LIMITED PERSPECTIVE !
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.
Galatians 6:9
Join us for part two next Sunday:
Don’t Settle For Less Than God’s Best
Life Group Discussion & Questions
BREAKING THE ICE: Few people like waiting. Waiting in line, sitting in a “waiting room,” waiting your turn, are just a few examples. Where do you find it particularly difficult to wait?
DIGGING IN: God gave Abraham some big promises, but Abraham would have to wait for 25 years before the “birth” of the promise really began. How can you keep fear from taking over in the waiting-room?
Review the 4 statements from this Sunday’s message. Which statement speaks the most to you right now, and why?
Perhaps “faith” in its simplest form is a “refusal to give up” on God and His promises. Where can you apply that this week?
BRINGING IT HOME: Abraham’s story is different from ours, but it is still a reminder that the Lord has a plan for every person. Keep trusting and keep looking to Jesus. He may not reveal all the details you want, but He will reveal more of Himself to you. Let steadfast faith silence any fears that are trying to distract or discourage you.