It is a process of giving up our own plans and submitting to God's will, which deepens our relationship with Him and assists us in achieving our purpose.
A crucial aspect of our lives as Christians is when we wait on the Lord. It is a time when we give up on our understanding and ability and surrender totally to the Almighty for His guidance and will. As believers, we are instructed to wait on the Lord in Psalm 27:14: "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord."
In our life journey as believers, we might face difficult circumstances where we are unsure of ourselves or our next course of action. In times like this, we must turn to God and wait on Him. We should put our trust in the Lord, put aside our plans, and yield to God's will.
Waiting on the Lord takes perseverance, self-control, and faith. It can be a trying period, but it can also be a time of blessings and breakthroughs.
We are required as Christians to learn and practice waiting on the Lord because it enables us to align our will with God and live a life that pleases Him.
The Importance of Waiting on the Lord
Waiting on the Lord is important for the following reasons:
1. It helps us align our will with God's will: As we wait on the Lord, we learn to put aside our own agenda and submit to God’s plan for our lives. This allows us to live according to His will and purpose for us (Lamentations 3:25).
2. Waiting on the Lord strengthens our faith: Waiting on God strengthens our faith and helps us rely on God's promises and faithfulness. Psalm 37:7 says, "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass."
3. It helps us hear from God: Waiting on the Lord means making the time to pay attention to His leading. God communicates with us while we wait on Him through His Word and by the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
4. Waiting on God leads to spiritual growth: The time we spend waiting on the Lord is usually a time of testing and trials, but it's also a time of spiritual growth. As we wait on Him, He equips us with the strength and wisdom we need to fulfill His plan for our lives. Isaiah 30:18 reminds us: "And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him."
5. It helps us experience peace and joy: When we are aligned with God's will and purpose, we experience peace and joy in our lives and find fulfillment and satisfaction in following Him.
The Purpose of Waiting on the Lord
Waiting on the Lord means being patient while we wait for God to answer our prayers, and it also requires taking the time to seek God's wisdom and counsel.
Another reason why we wait on the Lord is to learn to surrender to His plans and purposes for our lives. We can discern His leading and hear His voice while we wait on God. This aids us in making choices and acting in ways that are consistent with God's purpose.
Our faith is bolstered as a result of our waiting on the Lord. We are reminded of God's faithfulness and goodness when we put our trust in Him and wait for Him to do something.
Spiritual development also results from waiting on the Lord. He provides us with the power and knowledge we need to carry out His plan for our lives as we wait on Him. It enables us to feel more peace and joy in our life as well as a closer relationship with God.
The goal of waiting on the Lord is to enjoy His peace, joy, and benefits, as well as to strengthen our connection with Him and bring our will into alignment with His. It is a process of giving up our own plans and submitting to God's will, which deepens our relationship with Him and assists us in achieving our purpose.
We can grow in humility and reliance on God through waiting on the Lord. Even when things don't appear to be going well, we learn to rely on Him and to believe in His kindness.
We also learn persistence and patience from waiting. We develop patience, a belief in His timetable, and the ability to persevere in trying circumstances as we wait on Him. As a result, we develop more resilience in the face of difficulty and manage difficulties with grace and calm.
Practical Steps for Waiting on the Lord
Here are some ways we can wait on the Lord:
1. By praying and seeking God's guidance: Making time to communicate with God and paying attention to His voice is a great way to wait on the Lord. When we pray to God, He will make clear His purpose and direction for our lives and give us the fortitude and discernment to wait on Him.
2. Reading and studying the Bible: The Bible is God's inspired Word that provides the knowledge and direction we need to do what He wants. When we study the Word of God, we are reminded of God's promises and teachings, which boosts our faith in Him.
3. Spending quiet time alone: As you wait on the Lord, take some time to be still and quiet to hear the voice of God and think about His Word.
4. Practice trust and patience: Waiting on the Lord involves faith and patience. As we wait for God to reveal His plans for us or answer our prayers, we must have faith in His timing and exercise patience.
5. We must obey God's commands: We must learn to obediently follow His instructions at all times.
Challenges of Waiting on the Lord
We may find it difficult to wait on the Lord for several reasons, such as:
1. Doubts and fears: Doubt and fear are among the weapons the devil uses to scare us from our blessings and God-given rights as Christians. Dealing with doubts and anxieties is among the most challenging aspects of waiting on the Lord. When going through difficult times, we might be tempted to question if God truly reckons with us or whether He will answer our prayers.
2. Temptations: Temptations of all kinds are not far from a believer when going through difficulties. They are tools of spiritual distraction that the devil uses against us. When you are having a bad time, the devil uses temptations to test your loyalty and faith in God. We could feel tempted to act on our own initiative or give up while waiting on the Lord.
3. Distractions: Distractions of all sorts might make it challenging to wait on the Lord. When you are bombarded with unending distractions or surrounded by the noise and confusion of daily life, it can be difficult to focus on God and hear His voice.
4. Impatience: This could happen when the results, deliverance, breakthrough, or victory we pray for take longer than anticipated.
5. Lack of understanding: The lack of understanding could limit our range of spiritual connection to God and ultimately make it difficult for us to wait on Him and trust in His process. God's plans for us and the reasons behind them are always beyond our comprehension.
These difficulties can put our faith to the test and make it challenging to successfully wait on the Lord. However, we may overcome these obstacles and develop our faith in God with His assistance.
How to Overcome the Difficulties of Waiting on the Lord
In order to successfully wait on the Lord and receive our blessings and answers to prayers, we should apply the following strategies to get through the difficulties of waiting on the Lord:
1. Put our faith in God's promises: By relying on God's divine promises for us, we seal our hearts against all shadows of doubt and remove ourselves from compromising positions that the devil could exploit. The Bible is filled with passages that serve as a constant reminder of God's goodness and faithfulness, and in it, we find so many of these divine promises of God. As Christians, we should keep these promises in mind and put our faith in God's love and care when doubts and worries creep up on us.
2. Put your faith in God's faithfulness: Having unwavering faith in God's faithfulness is another approach to overcoming the challenges of waiting on the Lord. Even when the circumstances surrounding us don't make sense, we should always remind ourselves that God is dependable and will never forsake us.
3. Get assistance from other Christians: While waiting on the Lord, we should surround ourselves with positive-minded believers. They may encourage us, provide counsel, and pray for us.
4. Practice discipline and self-control: Discipline and self-control can help us resist and overcome temptations and distractions while we wait for God. This discipline and self-control mean you must make time to meditate on God, read the Bible, and pray. It also requires that you make a conscious effort to avoid things that draw your attention away from God.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Sam Thomas
