Originally posted on June 23, 2022 @ 4:20 pm
Waiting on the lord as believers is having faith and trusting God to fulfil his promises. Waiting on God can also mean believing God for a miracle or a word. The period of waiting on the lord is like a grooming and forming period where we learn to have faith in God. Waiting is not usually easy or palatable. Human nature doesn’t want to wait for anything. We want to get what we want, when we want it and how we want it. Waiting on God helps us to train human nature and focus on God.
In this article
Why wait on God?
I remember when I needed explicit instruction on the path I should follow when I needed an internship placement. Most of my friends secured a placement before the internship, and I was very unhappy and sad. One day, I went to an industrial area to submit my application to companies. I went from one door to the other that day, and all the companies rejected me. It was a painful experience.
My internship placement came without having to apply. Someone recommended me to the company, and I was asked to start immediately. My experience in the company was fantastic, and I learned a lot. I was paid for the internship duration, while some friends who started early weren’t paid, nor did they enjoy their stay.
The story emphasises the importance of waiting on God for the perfect opportunity, time or promotion. Our inability to trust God often leads to depression and obsession, which is very harmful. There are several reasons why we should wait on God, and I’ll mention but a few:
- God’s timing is perfect: God never fails, and he gives us the very best in due season. One of the greatest lessons I have learned is to wait for God’s perfect time. He is always right on time.
- Waiting Helps build capacity: When we often wait on God for a miracle, we are usually too disturbed to see that he is building us. Waiting on the lord helps us to improve, we begin to fall in line, and we develop the capacity to handle the awaiting blessings.
- We learn patience: the story of the prodigal son speaks about the importance of patience. The son wanted his inheritance, and his father allowed him to have his way. He squandered the money because he hadn’t learnt the lesson of patience and waiting. Patience is necessary to help human nature take proper decisions in life.
Things to do while Waiting on the Lord
While waiting on God, decisions and actions need to be taken to make the process less painful. These include:
Stand firm
God wants us to stand firm and unwavering in our time of waiting. Sincerely, it is never easy to wait for anything. Standing firm in God and his principles makes it easier to wait on God for whatever we trust him for at that moment. Our faith and confidence are essential to unlock our blessings.
Trust God
In times of pain and waiting, it is easy to question God or lose faith in God. Life challenges and needs make it difficult to focus on God or keep trusting him. Trusting God and having complete confidence in God makes it easy to wait on the lord and overcome.
Gratitude
Gratitude is an important attribute for every believer. When we understand that God deserves praise for the battles he has won before, we find it easy to praise and appreciate him for the things he will do. A grateful heart never becomes weary or tired. Gratitude opens us up to receive more blessings and provisions from God.
Prayer
A Yoruba proverb says, “prayer is the walking stick of a Christian”. This adage means that a Christian is like a blind man who cannot see but finds his way through prayer. Prayer helps him to navigate the darkness and uncertainty of the world. I believe prayer is pouring your heart to God like a friend. It relieves the tensions, and it provides answers.
Do you love hymns? These beautiful hymns can help lift your spirit whenever you are feeling depressed.
Regular Quiet Time
Quiet time is vital for every believer. This period helps to relieve tension by assisting us in soaking in words from God’s throne. The benefit of having a regular and quality quiet time is immense. I find it easier to navigate life challenges when I’m in close contact with God. I’m able to cope with the pain and also understand the mind of God.
Counselling or Join a Support Group
When we wait alone, it can sometimes be challenging and lonely. Receiving help from a trusted Christian counsellor helps keep the mind refreshed and reassures God’s promises. You can also join a Christian support group where people who have experienced similar challenges encourage each other.
Examples of those who waited on the Lord
- Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 21)
Abraham and Sarah waited on the lord for a child. Abraham received the promise of God that they would bear a child, and he was willing to wait. He took a detour along the line, but it brought him more stress than he could handle. The couple eventually had their promise child.
- John the Baptist ( John 1)
John the Baptist understood his assignment as the forerunner of Jesus. He went into the wilderness to pray and fast for the work ahead.
- David ( 1 Samuel 30)
Further, David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all of them were embittered, each man for his sons and daughters. But David felt strengthened and encouraged in the Lord his God.
1 Samuel 30:6
The story of David’s grief when the enemy attacked the city of Ziklag and took away his family and all of what he and his men had amazes me. David was deeply troubled by this incident, and his men threatened to kill him, but David rose and decided to wait on God for the right decision.
David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, “Please bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought him the ephod. 8 David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this band [of raiders]? Will I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you will certainly overtake them, and you will certainly rescue [the captives].”
1 Samuel 30: 7-8
David consulted God, and God gave him the go-ahead to fight and recover all he had lost. David and his men went after their looters and got back all their possessions without losing anything. Wow! What a significant landmark for us to follow.
- The disciples: in the upper room (Acts of the Apostles 1)
All these with one mind and one purpose were continually devoting themselves to prayer, [waiting together] along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
Acts 1:14
Jesus promised the disciples the Holy Spirit before he ascended to heaven. He told the disciples everything the Holy Spirit would do and how he would help believers. The disciples gathered in the upper room to pray and get guidance. Their waiting on God and praying brought the Holy Spirit.
- Rahab (Joshua Chapter 2)
Rahab was a prostitute who wasn’t even an Israelite. Still, she was willing to partake in the blessings and promises of God. Rahab helped the Israelite spies, and she waited for the day the promises made would be fulfilled. Her trust wasn’t in the spies but God, who made those promises.
Waiting on the lord Bible Verses
- Isiah 40:30-31
Even youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him]
Will gain new strength and renew their power;
They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun];
They will run and not become weary,
They will walk and not grow tired.
- Psalms 27: 13-14
I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness
in the exuberant earth.
Stay with God!
Take heart. Don’t quit.
I’ll say it again:
Stay with God.
- Psalms 25:4-5
Let me know Your ways, O Lord;
Teach me Your paths.
Guide me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
For You [and only You] I wait [expectantly] all the day long.
- Psalms 37:7
Be still before the Lord; wait patiently for Him and entrust yourself to Him;
Do not fret (whine, agonize) because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.
- Matthew 6:33
But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.
- Hosea 12:6
Therefore, return [in repentance] to your God,
Observe and highly regard kindness and justice,
And wait [expectantly] for your God continually.
- Lamentations 3:25
The Lord is good to those who wait [confidently] for Him,
To those who seek Him [on the authority of God’s word].
Finally, waiting on God is like a farmer who planted a tree. The tree takes time before it starts to bear fruits. Even when the tree starts producing fruits, the farmer must wait for the perfect time before harvesting his fruit. Waiting on the lord may be stressful and tiring, but the reward is satisfying.
Much Love