Waiting on The Lord

Lord, I Know Patience is a Virtue, But Gee ̶ How Much Longer Must I Wait?

I tell you; it is so hard to wait, it even seems impossible sometimes. We make plans, we set goals and we put a period for what we want and when we want it. Unfortunately, that’s not always how things turn out. There are times in life when God says, “Slow down. You’re going too fast. I don’t want you in the fast lane right now. Get off at the next exit and let’s talk it over.” When that happens our response is usually, “Go ahead and talk, Lord, while I drive down the road.” Suddenly another hand takes the wheel, and we find ourselves heading toward the exit. It is important to note that God does not work according to OUR schedules; He works according to HIS timing and HIS will for us. When we fail to remember this fact, we become impatient. Waiting is not just something we have to do while we get what we want. Waiting is the process of becoming what God wants us to be. What God does in us while we wait is as important as what it is we are waiting for.

Why It Seems To Be Hard to Wait on the Lord?

So why is it so hard to wait on the Lord? As a part of fallen humanity, we are so prone to take matters into our own hands, to follow our own schemes. Yet over and over again we are told in Scripture “Wait on the Lord.” In the Old Testament Book of Habakkuk, Habakkuk, the prophet was having similar questions. Using the watchtower motif, hear the dialogue between the prophet and God: I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the Lord says and how he will answer my complaint. Here is the Lord’s response to him: Then the Lord said to me, Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. This vision is for a future time.  It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed [Habakkuk 2:1-3, NLT].

Learn to Wait on God

I tell you, we must learn to wait on God! If you’re in God’s waiting room, remember that He is your hope—and in His time He will move you forward. God’s timing is best. It isn’t easy. It goes against the grain of our quick-fix society. But there’s a hidden benefit in waiting. In times of waiting our soul is revived and our spirit is renewed. Isaiah wrote, “Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” [Isaiah 40:31, NRSV). The time will come when those who wait on the Lord will soar.

We know from [Philippians 1:6,] that God will finish what he starts. And the Psalmist encourages us to keep asking God for our request even while we’re waiting for Him to bring it about.

“The Lord is my portion and my inheritance… Therefore, I have hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.” — [Lamentations 3:24, CSB]

“In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” [Psalm 5:3, NIV].

Shall We Pray?

Father in Heaven, I come before you with my heart filled with so many different thoughts and feelings. As I go through my days, facing each of the situations before me, I pray that you give me the strength to be patient as I wait for you to move in every single one. Help me to be brave and courageous when the fear grows strong, and the time passes so slowly. Help me to cast fear far away, as I keep my eyes on you in every single situation today. I am tense and uncertain about what I should be doing and where I should go. I feel weak and helpless. Powerless, I am worried about what happens next and whether I have the strength to handle it. Deep down I wonder, how long will I be here? Will I be stuck in this place of waiting forever? What’s happening, Lord? But most of all, I wonder, where are you? Why haven’t you responded to my cries for help?

But even as I pray that, I know you are right where you’ve always said you would be. You have never left me, and you will never forsake me. You hear all my cries. In fact, as David wrote in [Psalm 139:2-24], you know my thoughts before I even think them. You know exactly what is happening in my life and what will happen next.

Continue To Pray!

All things are in your control, and nothing can happen apart from your will. Not a sparrow falls to earth without your willing it to and you know the number of hairs on my head. You are never surprised. Even about this issue in my life today. You know why this is happening and will use it for your glory and my good. Forgive me for how I have worried about this situation. Forgive me for doubting your love and care in my life. Forgive me for my discontentment as I wait for what happens next. Forgive me for being impatient.

As the prophet wrote in Lamentations, “It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord”. Help me to remember that it is good to wait for you. In this place of waiting, help me to remember all that you have done for me through Jesus Christ. Help me to remember that your grace is sufficient to not only save me from sin, but to sustain me each and every day. May I find hope in your word for as the psalmist wrote, “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his Word, I hope” [Psalm 130:5, NKJV]. May I live for you even while I wait? Help me to obey and remain faithful, no matter how long I am in this place of waiting. In Jesus’ name I pray,

“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” — [Psalm 27:14 KJV].

By: Lou Yeboah
Executive Editor- Dr. Ruth Tanyi
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