Tarrying until

Pastor Hilton preaches that God’s promise is accessed through tarrying, which is not passive waiting but an active, settled posture. The Greek word cathizo means to sit down, set, or fix one’s abode—like Abraham sojourning or a man settling down. Jesus commanded His disciples to go to Jerusalem and tarry until they were endued with power from on high. Tarrying requires doing something while waiting: watching, praying, occupying, and pressing deeper into God. Isaiah 8:17 says, “I will wait upon the Lord… and I will look for him.” Jesus told servants in Luke 19 to “occupy until I come”—to trade with what God gave, not hide it. The one who hid his pound in a napkin was called wicked because he did nothing. Pastor Hilton shares that during his own season of waiting on marriage, he deepened his understanding of Scripture, prayed three times a day, and learned to treat his business as a ministry. That tarrying season prepared him for future calling. Isaiah 30:18 assures that the Lord waits to be gracious, and blessed are all who wait for Him. Habakkuk 2:2-3 commands us to write the vision clearly and wait for its appointed time; though it tarry, it will surely come. The disciples in Acts 1 continued in one accord in prayer and supplication until Pentecost fully came, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. Pastor Hilton calls the church to tarry—not merely wait or mope—until God’s promise is fulfilled.