Core for More Bible Study — July 15, 2026
LEADERSHIP IN THE WAITING ROOM
Key Scripture: Psalm 25:21
21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.
Key Principle: God's waiting room is never wasted. The waiting room is a place where God develops character.
- Everybody waits. We wait in salons and barbershops, we wait in airports, we wait at restaurants. You would think we are skilled and trained at waiting. Its one thing to wait in a line at the grocery store, or wait for the Amazon delivery that is 8 stops away.
- But what do you do when you have to wait for your promise to come thru. What about when you're waiting for your change to come? What about when you are a leader and you feel like it is your time?
RULE 1: WAIT WITH EXPECTATION
Wait with Expectation, Not Doubt.
You have got to know that you have an appointment, and you expect to be seen. Expect to see the doctor.
There is an expectation to see God move, to see God work it out.
Psalm 27:13–14
13 I had fainted, unless I had believed, To see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: Wait, I say, on the Lord.
- When you check into a doctor's office, you don't wonder if you'll ever see the doctor—you expect your name to be called. You wait because you trust the appointment is already scheduled.
If you are waiting on God, what has given you that confidence? A Vision, A promise from scripture, A Word from the Lord for you.
David was anointed by the Prophet Samuel Abraham received a promise from God and created a covenant with God Esther was sovereignly positioned in the palace before the crisis Jesus' arrival was announced by the Angels in heaven.
Leadership Principle: Waiting with expectation should be based on something.
RULE 2: TRUST THE PROCESS BEFORE SEEING THE DOCTOR
Preparation Always Comes Before Promotion
Before seeing the physician, you complete paperwork, answer questions, and have your vital signs checked. Likewise, God examines and prepares us before entrusting us with greater responsibility.
There is activity before the Appointment
David: God trained David in isolation before placing him on Israel's throne. Preparation included:
- Shepherding sheep - Fighting lions and bears - Defeating Goliath
- Serving Saul - David played the music is what Got him to the place
- Living in the wilderness and away from the palace came in handy while he was on the run.
Abraham: God strengthened Abraham's faith through repeated tests.
Scriptures:
- Genesis 13:5-13 Abraham gave lot the first choice of the Land. Have you learned to put others first sometimes for the sake of peace. And Lot chose the best land and the best parking space.
- Genesis 14:18-23 Greed Test. He gave tithes to Melchizedek. The King of Sodom said, "You can keep all the Goods." And Abram said, I promised God I wouldn't take any, lest you say that you have made me rich.
Esther: Before appearing before the king, Esther underwent twelve months of preparation. Before she could see the king.
Esther 2:12
12 Now when the turn came for each young woman to go in to King Ahasuerus, after being twelve months under the regulations for the women, since this was the regular period of their beautifying, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and ointments for women—
God prepared her character before giving her influence.
Jesus: For thirty years Jesus quietly prepared before three years of public ministry.
Scriptures:
- Luke 2:52
- Matthew 3:13–17
Are there character flaws you need to work on? Are there experiences that God has to take you through? To prepare you.
Leadership Principle: Trust the Process. Preparation is never punishment.
RULE 3: STAY IN THE WAITING ROOM
Don't Leave Before God Opens the Door
Impatience causes people to abandon God's process.
- David took 15 Years to become king of Judah, plus 7 more to be king of Israel - 22 Years
- Abraham said he would have a son at 75. Son was born when Abraham was 100 - 25 years.
- Jesus launched into ministry at 30. He was amazing, the teachers at 12, then waited another 18.
- These are human years!
You have to stay in the waiting room.
David: Twice, David could have killed Saul, but twice he refused. He would rather wait than force God's promise.
1 Samuel 24:10
10 Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, 'I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord's anointed.'
Many have got up and left the waiting room.
Be not weary in well-doing, for in due season. You shall reap if you faint not. Gal 6:9
Abraham: Abraham and Sarah attempted to bypass the waiting room by using Hagar. The shortcut produced generations of conflict in the Middle East.
Esther: Esther did not rush into the king's presence with her request. Instead, she fasted, prayed, and even delayed her petition until the right moment.
Scriptures:
- Esther 5:1–8, Esther 7:1–6
Esther 4:15–16
16 "Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish."
Jesus: Satan offered Jesus a shortcut to glory without the cross. Jesus refused.
Matthew 4:8-11
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." 10 Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'" 11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.
Leadership Principle: Don't fall for the trap of the shortcut, lean on the principles of God's word.
RULE 4: SEE THE DOCTOR
Appointments come with Correction: Accept God's Correction
- A good doctor tells us the truth—even when it is difficult. When you are walking in your season there is still correction.
- God will discipline his sons.
James 3:1
3 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
Hebrews 12:5-8
5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
David: Repented when he received the truth.
- 2 Samuel 12: Nathan confronted David's sin. David repented instead of defending himself.
Abraham: Trusted God completely when he received the truth.
Scriptures:
- Genesis 17:15–19
Esther: rose to the Moment when she received the truth
- Mordecai challenged Esther when she hesitated. His words redirected her toward God's purpose.
Esther 4:13–14
13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, "Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"
Jesus: Jesus consistently submitted Himself to the Father's direction.
John 5:19
19 So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.
Leadership Principle: Correction positions us for further promotion. - Feedback is my Friend
RULE 5: TAKE AND FINISH THE PRESCRIPTION
Stay Faithful Until God Completes the Process
Don't stop halfway through God's work.
David: Finished the journey from shepherd to king. Scriptures:
- 2 Samuel 5:1–5
Abraham: Received Isaac after twenty-five years of waiting. Scriptures:
- Genesis 21:1–7
Esther: Completed her assignment by exposing Haman and helping secure the deliverance of God's people. Scriptures:
- Esther 7:1–10, Esther 8:1–17
Jesus: Finished His work on the cross. "It is finished." Scriptures:
- John 19:30
- Hebrews 12:2
Leadership Principle: God rewards endurance, not just enthusiasm.
RULE 6: RETURN FOR THE FOLLOW-UP
Remain Dependent on God
Promotion should deepen our dependence on God.
David: Even as king, David continued seeking God's direction before battles. "Should I pursue"
2 Samuel 5:19
19 And David inquired of the Lord, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?" And the Lord said to David, "Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand."
Scriptures:
- 2 Samuel 5:23
Abraham: Continued walking by faith after receiving the promise. Scriptures:
- Hebrews 11:8–12
Esther: After Israel's deliverance, Esther continued using her position to strengthen and protect God's people. Scriptures:
- Esther 8:3–8
- Esther 9:29–32
Jesus: Even during His ministry, Jesus regularly withdrew to pray. Scriptures:
- Mark 1:35
Leadership Principle The goal is not simply to arrive at your destination but to remain connected to the One who brought you there.
FINAL CHALLENGE
Every one of these leaders entered God's waiting room with a promise, but they left with something even greater: a transformed character.
- David didn't just receive a throne—he became a shepherd king after God's own heart.
- Abraham didn't just receive a son—he became the father of the faithful.
- Esther didn't just receive a crown—she became a courageous deliverer for her people.
- Jesus didn't simply begin a ministry—through perfect obedience, He accomplished the salvation of the world.
The purpose of God's waiting room is not merely to prepare you for your assignment—it is to prepare your heart for the weight of that assignment.