This is a brief excerpt of the sermon given by Pastor Alexander Thomas during the Watch Night service on Monday, December 31st, 2012 at the International Church Atlanta, Georgia.

This New Year 2013 message was taken from Psalm 37:34
Bible reading Psalm 37: 1-40

Wait for the Lord and keep His way, And He will exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you will see it. Psalm 37:34 (NASB)

To wait is to stay in one place, to remain still until someone comes or something happens. Patience and complete trust in God while going through sufferings are possible with the Holy Spirit's help. The Lord loves justice and does not forsake the godly. He preserves them but cuts off the wicked. David gave a personal testimony of a very prosperous wicked person king Souls destruction. David focused again on the Lord. He is the salvation of those who take refuge in Him. He is their strength, help, and deliverer. Therefore the righteous should continue to trust in Him even when the wicked prosper and oppose them.

Bible gives examples of how saints waiting for the Lord

Abraham is waiting for a child. Genesis 15: 1-6
Abraham had never had a son, not by Sarah. He was now about one hundred years old, and Sarah was close to the same age. They were both well beyond the years of having a son. Just think about it for a moment and the impossibility is clearly realized. If Abraham was ever to have a son, the son would have to come from God. God would have to be the source, for only God could do such an impossible thing. Despite the impossibility, Abraham believes God and waited on God and God fulfilled the promise.

Jacob waiting for Rachel. Genesis 29
So Jacob served seven years for Rachel and they seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her. Genesis 29:20

Joseph waiting for vindication. Genesis 45: 4-5
Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Please come closer to me." And they came closer. And he said, "I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. Genesis 45: 4-5

Job waiting for restoration. Job 42
The Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord increased all that Job had twofold. Job 42:10
The secret of Job's life was endurance (James 5: 11); he trusted God in spite of Satan, circumstances, friends, or loved ones. His faith at times wavered, and sometimes he accused God, but he still endured. God gave Job great honor after he suffered as a testimony.

Christians who suffer during this present age may not be rewarded here, but they will be rewarded hereafter. God is concerned about your eternity than your present temporary comfort.

And in closing please read Hebrews 10:36 and Galatians 6:9
For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. Hebrews 10:36

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. Galatians 6:9

Wait for the Lord and keep His way, And He will exalt you to inherit the land.

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