Have you ever wondered what it means when people say, “I’m waiting on the Lord”? It’s a phrase often tossed around in conversations. Yet, its true meaning might remain puzzling to many. What does it entail to wait on the Lord, and why is it crucial in our everyday lives if we seek a closer connection with God?
This blog unravels the essence of waiting on the Lord and why it is vital in developing a deeper relationship with God. So, let’s embark on this journey, where waiting isn’t a pause but a path to God’s presence.
What does it mean to wait on the Lord?
Imagine a scenario where a waiter serves food and drink to a customer at a restaurant. Can you picture that? That is what it means to wait on someone. It also refers to awaiting a specific event or information before making a decision.
When we wait on God, we are serving Him, and waiting for Him to speak to us and reveal His nature, plans, and will for our life.
5 ways we can wait on God.
How do we wait on God and what should we do when we wait? Here are 5 practical ways we can practice waiting on God.
Prayer
Prayer is talking to God; it’s how we commune with our heavenly Father. It is also us listening to God as he talks back to us. As we spend time in prayer, we are like that waiter in the restaurant serving the Lord. We give to God what’s on our hearts; our worries, fears, and troubles and as we stay in His presence, He gives us His strength, peace, and courage.
Praise and worship
Praise and worship are often thought to be music we sing in church meetings. Yet, it goes far beyond this. It is a posture, an attitude of the heart where we acknowledge God as our creator and put him first in all we do. We can praise God with our words, songs, and our lifestyle. Praise and worship help draw us near to God’s presence. I talk more about the benefits of praise here.
Studying the Bible
The Bible is God’s word. It is life breathed and inspired by the Holy Spirit. Spending time studying and meditating on God’s word, invites Him to speak and reveal Himself to us. See what the scripture says in 1 Samuel 3:21,
‘The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.’
Did you get that? The Lord revealed His presence to Samuel through the word of God. Same way, we can be sure that when we study the word of God, He will reveal Himself to us!
Fasting
Fasting is a powerful way to wait on God. It is a practice of denying ourselves by abstaining from food or certain activities to seek God. During fasting, we spend time praying, worshipping, and studying the Bible. When we fast, we are acknowledging our total dependence on God, declaring that we have no hope apart from Him.
‘Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.’
2 Chronicles 20:3-4
Fellowship with other believers
The Bible tells us to spend time in regular fellowship with other believers. This strengthens our faith and determination as we wait on the Lord. We are not meant to isolate ourselves in the pursuit of God’s presence. We need to seek support from one another, pray, and worship God together.
‘Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.’
Hebrews 10:25
Why is it hard to wait?
Okay, I admit. Waiting on the Lord can be difficult. You start with a resolve; you decide to pray and study God’s word every day. Then after a short while you’re bored, and there seems to have been no major spiritual revelation. You then begin to wonder if you’d be better off spending your time doing something else.
Hold on, you are not alone. Waiting on the Lord, waiting for anything, goes against our instincts as humans. Our mind becomes restless as we wait, telling us we’re wasting time. But as someone who has discovered the value of waiting, I can tell you “Good things come to those who wait.”
The scripture puts it this way,
‘Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up’.
Galatians 6:9
There is a reward for everyone who waits on the Lord and does not give up.
What not to do when we wait
‘And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling, and slander, along with every form of malice.’
Ephesians 4:30-31
The Bible is clear on this. While we wait, we need to get rid of malice, anger, and bitterness that draw our hearts away from the Lord. These things pull us away from God and deny us the benefits of staying in His presence.
Benefits of waiting
The Bible promises a reward for seeking God. When we wait on the Lord, we gain the benefits of waiting which God promises us.
Waiting brings strength.
‘But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.’
Isaiah 40:31
Strength comes to the one who waits on the Lord. Abiding in the presence of God gives us grace and supernatural energy for our daily lives. We are like eagles as we soar at our workplace, in our business, and at home, and we do not back down no matter what life throws at us.
Waiting brings peace.
Philippians 4:6-7
‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’
Think of peace as a guard standing at the gates of your mind, not letting any fear or anxiety come in. That is what happens when we seek the Lord. Do you want to live a life of peace amid the storms of life, the endless chaos and noise that is the norm today? Then wait on the Lord and you can be sure to have God’s peace in every situation.
More Bible verses to consider.
Here are some more bible verses that talk about waiting on the Lord.
‘And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.’
Hebrews 11:6
‘Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!’
Isaiah 30:18
Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived,
no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.
Isaiah 64:4
A resolution and a prayer
We are all called to wait on the Lord; it is not reserved for a select few. God is more eager to reveal Himself than we are to know Him. He is waiting for us to take that first step, to spend time in prayer, praise and worship, bible study, fasting and fellowship with others. I have decided to wait on the Lord, will you join me?
Let us pray.
Dear Lord, thank you for teaching me to wait on you. Please help me to be still in your presence. I receive your grace today to seek you with my whole heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
