Waiting is very difficult for us as humans. As a child we couldn’t wait until our birthday to come or Christmas in expectation of surprises. As we got older and started school, we couldn’t wait for summer break. Then we couldn’t wait to get our drivers license and our own car. We couldn’t wait until we graduated from high school. We couldn’t wait to get out of college and get our own job and pursue a career. The list goes on and on and it seems we are always waiting on something. We as a society have become what I call “minute people.” We want instant results, immediate answers, fast food and service and etc. However, since COVID came we have had to resign to wait on deliveries, wait on the phone for extended time to resolve issues, wait to see doctors or have medical attention, and many other inconveniences. Yes, we have been made to take a “time out” from our fast-paced lives.
Could it be that God is seeking to teach us the discipline of waiting on Him in total dependence? God has much to say in scripture about waiting. The Psalmist David knew and understood personally the benefits of waiting. He said “Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart, wait, I say, on the LORD.” (Ps. 27:14) “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him.” (Ps. 37:7) “I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in His Word do I hope.” (Ps. 130:5) “On thee do I wait all the day.” (Ps. 25: 5)
As we wait on God, He will reveal Himself in us, He will teach us all His will, He will do to us and for us what He has promised, and in all things He will be the Infinite God. God is to be our first wakening thought beginning our day centered on Him and His sufficiency. Then as our day begins to unfold in all the tasks set before us—in everything we must wait on God to receive what He will bestow, to see what He will do, and to allow Him to be the Almighty God! As we exercise this attitude, it will become more natural and blessedly possible to say, “On thee do I wait all the day.” This is the secret of true, uninterrupted, silent adoration and worship of God.
Isaiah further encourages us to wait on and depend on the LORD. “They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles.” (Isa. 40: 31) As we wait on the LORD, He will renew our heart and mind and give us Divine viewpoint on our problems as He allows us to rise above them in His strength knowing that God is in control and His plan is perfect. As we learn to wait upon Him, we learn to rest in Him, trust in His Word, and upon His Spirit to empower and help us.
God is to be waited on every day with a childlike confidence that He will reveal Himself as God to work out His will in us. Everything depends on giving the Almighty God His place, on yielding our entire lives to His service and His working in us; then we will have the conscious assurance that His mighty power will work in us and for us what we consider impossible. God is waiting on us to fully surrender all things into His hands so He can reveal His greatness to us and in us!
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Ps. 46:10)
Be still—stop talking; switch off your phone; stop commenting; listen; stop arguing; stop questioning; stop moaning.
Know—stop doubting; be sure; have faith; no second opinion.
I AM GOD—God is Almighty; God is in control; God is love; God is King; God is my hope, rock, fortress; God is ever-present, a help in times of trouble; God is my Father; God is my shepherd and will lead me, nourish me, protect me and restore me.