Don't Keep Me Waiting

Julie Murphy

Central Truth

Even in our anxiety about next steps in life, God's plan for us never wavers and is never uncertain. He tells us to pray to Him and meditate on His truths provided in Scripture so that we can experience "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:7) during our wait.

All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled . . . ."

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.^{1

1:14
Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated brothers) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verse 15}

15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong^{2

1:18
Or swelling up} he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,

‘May his camp become desolate,
and let there be no one to dwell in it’;

and

‘Let another take his office.’

21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Footnotes

[1] 1:14 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verse 15
[2] 1:18 Or swelling up

Sometimes, I look back on my life and think it has been one really long game of "hurry up and wait."

This idea is illustrated in the TV show The Amazing Race, where the goal of each team is to complete a series of tasks and be the first to arrive at the next pit stop in hopes of securing an "advantage." The cruel truth of the game, however, is that, most of the time, the first-place team and all the other teams (except the last-place team) end up on the same flight the next day to their next destination—ALL EVEN AGAIN.

How many times have I hurried through life's moments just to end up waiting on the other end—annoyed and impatient that I can't single-handedly get the next part of the plan going?

Enter Peter in today's passage. He was leading people who were in a state of expectancy. They had witnessed Jesus' ministry, His death, and His resurrection. They were ready to move on to the next step of God's plan to find security and solid footing after their human plans had been destroyed. However, they were on God's timeline, which felt uncertain, unclear, and annoyingly long.

To lead them, Peter did what I so often forget to do: he consulted the Scriptures and showed his fellow apostles and followers God's truth—His perfect plan then and now. Peter led them in prayer, asking for what he knew would happen (the arrival of the Holy Spirit) and for guidance in their next steps. He looked to Scripture for direction in filling the vacant apostle spot and asked God who knows the hearts of all to show them the one He had chosen. Then they cast lots.

At first, this seemed like such a childish approach until I realized it was the ultimate way to give God all of the control. And my fast and furious heart was instantly convicted and humbled.

Waiting provides the opportunity for us to be ready for the next steps God will walk us through.

1. If you were one of Jesus' early followers, how would you have felt in the upper room after you had just seen Jesus' ascension to heaven (Acts 1:1-9)?

2. In 1 Corinthians 15:14, Paul states that if Christ had not been raised from the dead, then our faith is useless. How does today's reading show how critical this piece is to our Christian faith?

3. The early followers found themselves devoted in prayer when their next steps were uncertain. What are your go-to actions when life feels overwhelming, unclear, and uncertain? What small changes can you make to look to Christ before the things of this world when you are anxious (Isaiah 41:10; 1 Corinthians 10:13)?

4. What is one area in your life in which you still think you are "in control"? Say a prayer right now and ask God to help you give it over to Him (1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:6-7). Ask this question to a friend or your community group this week—pray for God to help everyone release their area of "control." Check in on how this is going over the next few weeks and months.