Wait

There are many voices pulling us in every direction, while the Holy Spirit seems to be saying “Wait on the Lord.”

Psalm 27:14 (NCV)

¹⁴ Wait for the Lord’s help.

    Be strong and brave,

    and wait for the Lord’s help.

Here are some specific definitions which can help in understanding what the word “wait” means.  Strong's concordance defines “wait” as ‘kä·vä'  “to wait, look for, hope, expect, to wait or look eagerly for, to lie in wait for.” Or…”to wait for, linger for, to collect, bind together.”

It can be frustrating waiting on the Lord.  But, I do believe that waiting is always a matter of denying our flesh and own desires which brings us to a place of deeper surrender.  We tend to live by the adage: 'Don't just stand there, do something'. While God often says to us: 'Don't just do something, stand there'.

Waiting on the Lord is always an exercise in trust.  He oftentimes places us in a position to completely trust him without the benefit of knowing the outcome.  We must trust Him to know He always has our best interest in mind when it comes to our friends and family, our careers and even our own hopes and desires.

Psalm 130:5-6 (NCV)

⁵ I wait for the Lord to help me,

    and I trust his word.

⁶ I wait for the Lord to help me

    more than night watchmen wait for the dawn,

    more than night watchmen wait for the dawn.

Waiting on God reminds us that God is in control.  So what do we do in the meantime while we wait?  *"During those waiting times take on the active role of a watchman. In biblical times, watchmen vigilantly guarded the city. They watched for enemies who might attack at night, and they waited for the sun to come up. They were alert and obedient, ready to respond when needed. When called upon, they sprang into action. ...A watchman knew the difference between his job and God's job.

During those times, we wait patiently on the Lord. We know that deep down he is working - while it may be underneath, hidden deep in our character. In due time, God will reveal everything he's grown in us. Those who wait will never be put to shame. We will never be disappointed.

Psalm 40:1-3 (NCV)

¹ I waited patiently for the Lord.

    He turned to me and heard my cry.

² He lifted me out of the pit of destruction,

    out of the sticky mud.

He stood me on a rock

    and made my feet steady.

³ He put a new song in my mouth,

    a song of praise to our God.

Many people will see this and worship him.

    Then they will trust the Lord.

Sometimes I struggle to remember that it's good to wait for the Lord. It isn't easy. But, there's a hidden benefit in waiting. In times of waiting my soul is revived and my spirit is renewed.

Isaiah 40:31 (NCV)

³¹ But the people who trust the Lord will become strong again.

They will rise up as an eagle in the sky;

    they will run and not need rest;

    they will walk and not become tired.

The time will come when those who wait on the Lord will soar.

We will catch a gust of the Spirit. It was this gust of the Spirit that the disciples in Jerusalem were instructed to wait on. It is that same gust of the Spirit that we need to wait on. And when it comes, hold on. We will be soaring."*

Psalm 37:7-11 (NCV)

⁷ Wait and trust the Lord.

    Don’t be upset when others get rich

    or when someone else’s plans succeed.

⁸ Don’t get angry.

    Don’t be upset; it only leads to trouble.

⁹ Evil people will be sent away,

    but those who trust the Lord will inherit the land.

¹⁰ In a little while the wicked will be no more.

    You may look for them, but they will be gone.

¹¹ People who are not proud will inherit the land

    and will enjoy complete peace.

Sometimes when we are caught up in the busyness of serving others we can lose sight of the fact that God may be telling us to slow down and wait, that He might show Himself strong.

                        ↓ Click Here to listen to the song

Slow Down

Chuck Girard

In the midst of my confusion

In the time of desperate need

When I am thinking not too clearly

A gentle voice does intercede

Slow down, slow down, be still

Be still and wait, on the Spirit of the Lord

Slow down and hear His voice

And know that He is God

In the time of tribulation

When I'm feeling so unsure

When things are pressing in about me

Comes a gentle voice so still, so pure

Slow down, slow down, be still

Be still and wait, on the Spirit of the Lord

Slow down and hear His voice

And know that He is God

And know that He is God

©1972 Dunamis Music

Guitar Chords Click Here

The music above is copyrighted by the respective artists, and is demonstrated here for educational purposes only.

*Additional commentary courtesy of Pastor Rick Ezell