WATCHWORD:
“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27:14
“But they 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
Meditation:
Wait on the Lord
I have no idea how many times I have sat in a doctor’s/dentist’s waiting room, waiting and waiting. Over time I learned to bring my iPad, loaded with both games and books, to every appointment to help pass the time, which often seems to drag on and on.
There is a difference between waiting for an appointment and what the scripture is telling us to be strong and wait for the Lord. There are some similarities, to be sure, and you may think, waiting is waiting and it requires patience, and I don’t like it! How does one get peeved at the Lord for taking so long? Or wishing that the Almighty were better organized, you know, “my time is valuable!” Humph!
But, really, what does it mean to “wait on the Lord”? In most all Biblical instances, waiting on the Lord is expectant trust and hope in God’s timing and activity. Waiting on the Lord should impart peace for we know that we are in God’s hands.
Though it sounds dull, waiting on the Lord is a godly, robust activity. It is about God’s timing and setting aside your own abilities, skills and activity to trust God in His abilities, skills and activity. Timing, not ours, God’s. It is about our faith and trust that God is at work. Sometimes we just can’t see it happening, can’t detect His touch. We have to trust that His loving activities are for our best interest; even when we can’t clearly see the purpose or meaning. That is where our faith must be active, know the He is God and trust His character.
In practical terms, waiting on the Lord means spending time in prayer, seeking Him. It means standing firm on what God has already promised. To wait on the Lord is to wait on God’s answer, His voice, His promise. Waiting on the Lord is as simple as turning your mind and eyes upon Jesus.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Amen.
Test Results:
I’ve had my patience tested. I’m negative!
Waiting for God’s Timing:
Lord, I thank You that You will answer my prayers in Your perfect timing. Reveal what is in my heart, and make me ready to handle the answer in the right way when it comes. Help me to pray by faith consistently and long-term, to believe, wait, and then move forward in Your timing. Help me to be patient in prayer, not give up, and trust You even during moments when I feel negative emotions. I don’t want to live by feelings but by faith. Help me not to take matters in my own hands. Deepen my understanding, and give me a greater knowledge of what You are doing in my life. Stretch my faith in the midst of the wait. I thank You that You have all wisdom and will answer my prayers in the perfect way. In Jesus’ name, amen.
