We have heard many sermons about waiting on the Lord. Even the phrase “wait on the Lord” appears several times in the Bible. However, what does it really mean to wait on the Lord, and how do we go about it? To wait on the Lord means to patiently trust in God’s timing and plan, especially in times of distress, trials, and temptations.

 

King David in Psalm 130:5 says, “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope.” This scripture shares some profound truths and principles about waiting. Read on as we explore them.

 

To understand what waiting on the Lord means, it is first important to know what it is not. Many people, including believers, have an incorrect understanding of what waiting means. Biblically, waiting does not mean sitting idle. Many people believe that waiting means looking out for or expecting a miracle from the Lord without taking any action.

 

Another misconception about waiting on the Lord is that God has forgotten or abandoned you. That is far from the truth. God’s silence does not mean absence. The Bible refers to God as the ever-present help (Psalm 46:1). In other words, God is always with us, even when we do not feel that way. He is Emmanuel – God with us.

 

Also, waiting on the Lord is not a sign of hopelessness. It does not mean that you have given up. Instead, it’s an expectation of the fulfillment of God’s promise. His promises are yes and amen.

 

 

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits.”

 

Adding the phrase “my soul waits” after the first phrase is deliberate and instructive. It shows us that waiting on the Lord is not a physical thing but a spiritual thing. You can be working in your office, but your soul is waiting on the Lord. You can be driving, but your soul remains calm and silent, allowing you to hear God’s voice and receive an instruction from Him. In other words, external circumstances do not hinder you from connecting to heaven.

 

Therefore, one major sign of waiting on the Lord is calmness and peace, even in the face of a storm. When Jesus and His disciples crossed the sea, a strong wind began to blow violently against them, making it feel as though their boat might break apart. Jesus’ disciples were panicking, but He was sleeping. Jesus was sleeping not because His current circumstance was not life-threatening, but because His soul was at peace. That was why He could rebuke the wind, and there was calm (Mark 4:35-41). A troubled mind cannot experience the manifestation of God’s power, which is why Moses told the Israelites when they were caught between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army: “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:13-14)

 

You cannot be waiting on the Lord and be afraid and anxious at the same time. The presence of fear and anxiety is a sign that you are considering external or physical factors when you are faced with challenges. It could also suggest that you’re relying not on God, but on your own strength, wisdom, and abilities. Yet those who wait on the Lord place their trust fully in Him.

 

Waiting on the Lord gives you hope. How does this happen? When you wait on the Lord, you receive a word, and that word ignites your hope. You see the glorious future God has prepared for you, even when your present circumstances do not look good. However, the word of the Lord which you have received in the place of prayer and meditation changes your outlook about the same situation, and your countenance is lifted high.

 

In waiting on the Lord to receive His word, you must understand the difference between the written word and the spoken word. The written word is what we have in the scripture, but the spoken word is God’s direct word for you in your current situation.

 

It is crucial to know the difference because not all written words in the Bible may fit your specific condition. For example, if you’re trusting God for healing, many believers turn to scriptures such as Exodus 15:26, Psalm 103:3, and Isaiah 53:5. However, God can give you a “strange” scripture that provides an instant solution, one that differs from the generic scriptures everyone uses. Therefore, the spoken word is God’s specific word that will give you instant victory, and you can only get that through waiting on Him. However, that does not mean that the written word of God is not powerful or effective. It only means that there are unique situations where only the word given by God through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit will work for you. That is how your hope comes alive.

 

 

You wait on the Lord in the secret place of prayer. That is where spiritual transactions happen. It is in the place of prayer that you receive a word from the Lord that transforms your life and situation.

 

David is a classic example of waiting on the Lord in the most difficult circumstances. The Amalekites raided his village and took everyone captive, including women, children, and the elderly. David’s family was not spared. His men turned against him, wanting to stone him because they believed he had brought the situation upon them, and David was greatly distressed. However, in all these, he never allowed discouragement or anxiety to weigh him down. David prayed, asking the Lord if he should pursue the Amalekites and recover what had been taken away. And the Lord said yes (1 Samuel 30).

 

This story is profound because David did not act on impulse. He possessed the fighting skills and commanded a strong army. In fact, he had every reason to go after the Amalekites, but he waited on the Lord in prayer, and God granted him victory. You must learn to pray the prayer of inquiry when waiting on the Lord to receive instruction and experience victory. You become more confident when your actions are backed by God’s direct instructions.

 

You wait on the Lord by studying His Word. Waiting on the Lord entails sitting on God’s Word and searching the scriptures until you receive insight on what to do about your situation. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” In other words, you receive instruction when you read your Bible. This instruction can be a solution to your problem or an encouragement that the Lord has not forsaken.

 

Therefore, when you are waiting on the Lord for a breakthrough, meditate on His Word and confess it. When you confess God’s Word, you put it into action. The confessed Word of God enters your ear and then your heart and gives you hope and an assurance that God’s promises will never fail. Also, reading the stories of those who waited on the Lord and overcame will encourage our faith. Examples are David, Abraham, Simeon, and Anna.

 

Waiting, especially for an extended time, can be difficult. Your faith might begin to fade. However, you overcome spiritual fatigue when waiting on the Lord by engaging in worship and thanksgiving.

 

What should you thank God for when nothing seems to be happening? Thank Him for the past blessings and breakthroughs that you have received. Psalm 103:2 says, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” Thanksgiving reminds us that God did not abandon us in the past when we waited on Him. It assures you that if God can do it in the past, He will surely do it again. Above all, thanksgiving helps you place God’s sovereignty above your situation.

 

Finally, after you have diligently waited upon the Lord through prayer, Bible study, and thanksgiving, your strength shall be renewed. Isaiah 40:31 says, “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.” In other words, grace is multiplied unto you. You receive spiritual strength to overcome whatever you are experiencing and soar above every hindrance in your life like an eagle.