waiting on God

To Wait

God’s word tells us to wait on Him. Waiting on God may seem unproductive, but in doing so our strength is renewed. Jesus spent forty days fasting before He entered the ministry by the power of the Spirit. He also spent the night in prayer before He chose His disciples. And before the crucifixion, while waiting, He wrestled with His Father until His heart could submit to the Father’s will. In waiting on God, we find strength, wisdom, and power.

To Heed

We must also heed what is received in the waiting. The apostle Paul talks about looking in a mirror and then walking away, forgetting what was perceived. We do the same when we read without an open heart. Renewed hope and vision provide a straight path and purpose when we allow God to fight the driving rain and degrading metals.

To Follow

Then we must follow. Since life’s pathway does not permit constant shelter from the rain, we look to the Father for His protection. The psalmist writes, “Righteousness will go before Him, and shall make His footsteps our pathways.” Peter talks about following in His footsteps. Jesus knew what to do by looking to the actions of His Father. As we follow, He holds us up. The Psalmist writes, “Though he fall he will not be cast down, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.” Isaiah puts it this way: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you: I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Comfort, wisdom, hope, power, and purpose are born as we wait, heed, and follow.

One of life’s challenges comes with our limited vision. When we can’t see, rather than wait on God, we look for our own solutions. Isaiah writes to people who face the temptation to run away, escape, go on a holiday, or flee. The Psalmist says, “How can you say to my soul “Flee as a bird to your mountain?”” Instead he says, “In the Lord I put my trust.” Isaiah reminds his audience that it is when we return to God and rest in Him we find the solution. There, in quietness and in confidence, we find our strength. Wait on God, it is an act of obedience, in which we discover what we are waiting for and what it produces in us.

Waiting on God: An Act of Obedience

The Psalmist writes, “Wait on the Lord.” and “Rest in the Lord.” The Lord’s word to us is to wait on Him. When we do so, we act in obedience. There are things He is working on, like making His enemies into a footstool and preparing a place for us. He further desires for us to look to Him for counsel, for wisdom, and for direction. When we trust Him, it delights our Heavenly Father.

Waiting on God: What We are Waiting For

From the New Testament writers, we learn what we are waiting for. In Romans Paul tells us we wait for the adoption, the redemption of our body. God saves us in hope, and we wait for His redemption. In Galatians he tells us we wait for the hope of righteousness. The letter to the Philippians says to wait for the Saviour, who will transform our body into a glorious one. In 1 Thessalonians he says we wait for God’s Son from heaven who delivers us from the wrath to come. In Hebrews it says we eagerly wait for His second coming, for salvation and for the Heavenly city He is preparing for us.

Waiting on God: What it Produces in Us

God works His purpose in us while we wait. When we wait on God, it produces in us qualities God loves. We find courage and strength. We learn to rest and be still. Further, we learn to hear His voice and understand His ways. These ways show up in life’s storms. Perseverance and patience grow in us. When we wait on God, it is an act of obedience, in which we discover what we are waiting for and what it produces in us.

The Lord is Our Strength