Jesus told His disciples to wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit. They didn’t know what they were waiting for but waiting they did!
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. Acts 1:12-14
After Jesus was taken up into heaven, the disciples went back to Jerusalem and went up to the upper room where they had been staying. On the surface, it looked like nothing had changed except that Jesus wasn’t with them. However, they were not sad or confused any longer.
Jesus’ appearance in those forty days had encouraged them that their call from God was still valid. Jesus had reiterated the Great Commission to them telling them they were going to be his witnesses all over the world (See Acts 1:8).
They were to wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit that was going to come upon them to empower them. What did that look like? Would they recognize the Holy Spirit!? How was it going to empower them since they were strong men already!? They didn’t have many answers, but they had a promise from Jesus! They had a hope in their hearts that something was about to happen. So they continued in prayer and supplication with a sense of expectancy although they did not know what they were waiting on.
We live in a very goal-oriented culture. We are supposed to have a plan for years down the road. People in their 20s and 30s begin thinking about planning for retirement. We consider these things responsible things to do. But what if the Lord hasn’t made it clear what you are supposed to do or where you are supposed to go!? Do you get restless? Do you start groping for answers and justifying your actions?
Sometimes we don’t know what we are waiting for, but we know something is about to change. We wonder if it is silly to just wait indefinitely without any particular instruction or direction, but the truth is doing something for the sake of just doing it is not the answer.
The story of Noah is a reminder that waiting is part of our journey of faith. God did not tell Noah how long he had to wait in the ark. Noah was in the ark for over a year. I’m sure the conditions were not very pleasing nor comfortable anymore, but he could not see the outside condition to determine if the flood had receded. He had to wait. He sent a dove out three times and on when the dove did not return. he knew that the earth must be dry enough to leave the ark. God did not speak directly to Noah about when he should leave the ark but he used His creation and a little bird to give those indications to Noah.
Sometimes in life, we are utterly dependent on the Lord to lead us. We don’t know how to look for answers. All we know is that something needs to change but we don’t know how it is going to come about.
The disciples knew they needed what Jesus promised them, but they had no idea how that was going to happen. So they did what they knew how to do which was to pray and make supplications.
If you don’t know what you need to do, spend time in prayer and supplication. Find others who are like-minded and a kindred spirit to prayer with you. Allow God to be God and let Him lead and guide you through at the right time and through the right doors.