Waiting on the Lord

In this fast-paced world we live in today, waiting has become increasingly difficult. People are accustomed to instant results and immediate responses, and the idea of pausing or delaying action often feels uncomfortable and inconvenient. The desire for everything to happen quickly can make it challenging to accept the concept of waiting, especially when it comes to important matters in our lives.

However, it is important to recognize that God often operates on a different timeline than we do. While we might wish for immediate answers or actions, God rarely moves according to our hurried expectations. His timing is not dictated by the pace of the world around us, but by what is ultimately best for us. Learning to wait on the Lord requires patience and trust, knowing that His ways and His timing are perfect, even when they do not align with our desire for immediacy.

Last week, during my quiet time with God, I found myself praying about a matter that has been weighing on my heart. It’s something I’ve been eager to move forward with, feeling the readiness and anticipation to take action. However, as I prayed, I sensed a very gentle whisper from God, urging me to pause. It wasn’t an overwhelming command, but rather a subtle nudge—an invitation to wait just a little bit longer.

This quiet prompting reminded me that, even when my desires and plans seem pressing, there can be wisdom in waiting. The still, small voice encouraged patience and trust, suggesting that there may be greater purpose in the delay than I can presently see.

There is a strong desire within me to push forward, to take action, and to see things happen right away. I feel prepared—my mind and body are ready to move ahead with my plans. Yet, in the midst of this eagerness, I sense a gentle prompting deep within, almost like a quiet whisper guiding me to pause. This still, small voice is not forceful or commanding; rather, it feels like a gentle suggestion or recommendation, encouraging me to wait a little longer before moving ahead.

As I was praying about the situation, a familiar voice came to mind—Kelita’s. I was reminded of a simple text message she once sent me. In my heart, I could clearly hear her words: “waiting was in our favor.” This gentle reminder carried significant weight, reinforcing the idea that sometimes, the act of waiting is not a burden, but rather a blessing. Her words encouraged me to see waiting not as a hindrance, but as something that works for our benefit, aligning us with God’s best timing and purpose.

At that time, Kelita had once been anticipating the arrival of certain funds for almost four years. During this extended period, she sometimes found herself feeling frustrated by the lengthy wait. The delay was difficult, and at times, the uncertainty seemed overwhelming. Yet, despite these struggles, Kelita ultimately came to a powerful realization. Her response at the end of the waiting was clear and encouraging: “waiting was in our favor.”

This perspective reinforced the idea that waiting, though challenging, is not without its benefits. It served as a reminder that even when delays feel uncomfortable, there can be purpose and blessing in the process. Kelita’s experience highlights the value of patience and trust, affirming that sometimes, waiting aligns us with outcomes that are truly in our best interest.

As I reflected on my prayer and the gentle prompting I sensed from God, it became clear to me that waiting was not simply a requirement, but an opportunity for my benefit. God wasn’t insisting that I had to wait; rather, He was showing me that choosing to wait would ultimately be better for me. This realization brought a sense of clarity and peace—a true “aha” moment—revealing that God’s invitation to wait was rooted in His desire for my good, not just in delay for its own sake.

With this new understanding, I decided to look through the word of God and see what God had to say about those who wait. I want to share those scriptures with you.

But those who wait on 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. (Is 40:31)

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord! (Ps 27:13-14)

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. (Lam 3:25)

The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him [inquire of and for Him and require Him by right of necessity and on the authority of God’s word]. Amplified Bible Lam. 3:25

Therefore, the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore, He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him. (Is 30:18)

And therefore, the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore, He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]! Amplified (Is 30:18)

Wait on the Lord, and keep His way, and He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it. (Ps 37:34)

For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides You, who acts for the one who waits for Him. (Is 64:4)

Those who wait on God receive remarkable blessings and assurances. When we choose to wait on the Lord, we are strengthened—He renews our strength for each day and empowers us to face challenges with endurance. God’s goodness is poured out on those who patiently seek Him, and He shows favor and kindness to those who trust His timing. Waiting on Him leads to empowerment, allowing us to prosper and thrive in His plan. Ultimately, those who wait on God are promised that they will inherit the land, experiencing the fulfillment of His promises in their lives.

The definitions of “wait” in scripture are particularly intriguing. In many passages, “wait” is understood simply as to pause or to adhere to something—an act of patience and steadfastness. Yet, in several key scriptures, the term takes on a deeper and more intense meaning. Here, “wait” is described as to twist or writhe in pain, to tarry in travail, to continue trusting even when wounded or suffering. This dual definition reveals that waiting on the Lord is not always a passive or comfortable experience; sometimes, it involves enduring hardship and persistent faith through difficult circumstances. The process of waiting can be both challenging and transformative, requiring us to trust God even when it means enduring discomfort or uncertainty.

There is a natural inclination to take control of situations and act according to our own understanding and strength. Many times, we feel compelled to move forward on our own, believing that immediate action is the best course. I have personally experienced this tendency—opting to handle matters myself rather than waiting on God. While it is possible to forge ahead in our own power, I have come to realize through my experiences that it is always better to wait on God.

God’s plan consistently surpasses anything we could devise for ourselves. His wisdom and perspective are far beyond our own, and His ways are higher than our ways. When God calls us to wait, or when circumstances force us into a place of waiting, it is not without purpose. Whether the waiting is by divine instruction or necessity, we are called simply to wait and trust Him.

In my life, I have seen that waiting on God always results in outcomes that work for my good. There have been times when I waited, and the situation turned in my favor. The same has been true for Kelita, who also witnessed the blessings that come from patiently waiting on God. Because of these experiences, I am confident that waiting will be for my benefit in my present circumstances as well.

Waiting is not easy. There is a strong temptation to resolve things in my own strength and move forward on my own terms. At times, it feels as though taking control would be much simpler than remaining in a place of stillness and trust. Yet, I am reminded that God’s way is always better, even when I cannot see the outcome or understand the reasons behind the delay.

Although the path ahead may be unclear, I choose to trust Him. God has demonstrated His faithfulness to me repeatedly in the past; His guidance in my life assures me that He will continue to be trustworthy now. Because of this, I can wait with confidence, knowing that His plans are always for my good.