He that believeth shall not make haste
William MacDonald teaches that true faith in God removes the need for haste, urging believers to trust in God's timing and walk patiently in the Spirit.
In this sermon, William MacDonald explores the biblical principle that faith in God removes the need for haste. He challenges the modern culture of rushing by highlighting scriptural examples and urging believers to trust God's timing. MacDonald emphasizes the importance of patience, Spirit-led living, and waiting on the Lord for true effectiveness in ministry and life.
Text
“He that believeth shall not make haste.” (Isa. 28:16)
In an age of supersonic travel and highspeed communications, in a culture where hurry is the watchword, it brings us up short to learn that haste is seldom used of God in a good sense in the Bible. Seldom, I say, because there is the instance where the father runs to meet the returning prodigal, suggesting that God hastens to forgive. But generally speaking, God is not in a hurry.
When David said, “The king’s business required haste” (1 Sam. 21:8), he was guilty of subterfuge, and we should not use his words to justify our frenetic rushing back and forth. The plain truth is, as our text states, if we are really trusting the Lord, we don’t have to be in a hurry. The urgency of our task can be better served by a quiet walk in the Spirit than by a frenzy of carnal activity.
Here is a young man who is in a hurry to get married. He reasons that if he doesn’t act quickly, someone else might get the girl. The truth is that if God wants that girl for him, no one else can get her. If she is not God’s choice, then he will have to learn the hard way, “Marry in haste; repent at leisure.”
Another is in a hurry to go into so-called full-time work. He argues that the world is perishing and that he cannot wait. Jesus did not argue that way during the years in Nazareth. He waited till God called Him forth to public ministry.
Too often we are in a hurry in our personal evangelism. We are so anxious to rack up professions that we pick the fruit before it is ripe. We fail to allow the Holy Spirit to thoroughly convict the person of sin. The result of such a method is a trail of false professions and of human wreckage. We should “let patience have her perfect work” (James 1:4).
The true effectiveness of our lives lies not in rushing madly about on self-appointed missions, but in Spirit-directed activity that is ascertained by patiently waiting on the Lord.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The cultural pressure to hurry and its spiritual dangers
- Haste is rarely commended by God in Scripture
- Example of the prodigal son's father showing God’s forgiving haste
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II
- Misuse of haste in biblical examples like David’s urgency
- Trusting God removes the need for frantic rushing
- The importance of walking quietly in the Spirit
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III
- Examples of personal impatience: marriage and ministry
- Risks of rushing personal evangelism leading to false professions
- The call to let patience have its perfect work
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IV
- True effectiveness comes from Spirit-directed, patient waiting
- Avoiding self-appointed missions driven by anxiety
- Trusting God’s timing brings lasting fruit
Key Quotes
“He that believeth shall not make haste.” — William MacDonald
“The urgency of our task can be better served by a quiet walk in the Spirit than by a frenzy of carnal activity.” — William MacDonald
“We should 'let patience have her perfect work' (James 1:4).” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- Trust God’s timing instead of rushing important decisions.
- Practice patience by waiting quietly on the Lord for guidance.
- Allow the Holy Spirit to work fully in others before expecting results in evangelism.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does William MacDonald say we should not hurry in spiritual matters?
Because trusting God means relying on His perfect timing rather than rushing ahead in our own strength.
Is haste ever good according to the sermon?
Haste is seldom good, but God’s quick forgiveness, like the father running to the prodigal, shows a rare positive example.
What dangers come from rushing evangelism?
Rushing can lead to false professions and spiritual damage because the Holy Spirit hasn’t fully convicted the person.
How can believers cultivate patience according to the sermon?
By waiting quietly on the Lord and allowing patience to complete its work as taught in James 1:4.
What is the main biblical text for this sermon?
Isaiah 28:16, which emphasizes that those who believe will not make haste.