"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."
Psalm 27:14
“Wait on the LORD:”
Can you pick out the offensive word in this verse? David used it twice—WAIT! The last thing many people want to do is to wait for anything. We crave immediate gratification. We eat “fast food” because we’re in a hurry and don’t have the time to fix a meal and we have to get to the next appointment. We don’t like to wait for the dentist or doctor because our time is valuable. Some impatient drivers will sneak through a corner store parking lot, rather than wait at the traffic light for two or three minutes. Did you know there are some lessons that our Lord wants to teach us, but it takes time!
In the 1980’s in the United States, the Heinz company used this for their slogan, “The best things come to those who wait.” While they used this slogan to sell ketchup, there is some Bible truth to these words if we use them in the context of waiting on the LORD.
Why is it important to wait on the LORD?
Those who wait on the LORD:
-will not be ashamed of Him, or shamed by Him, or disappointed in Him, (Psalm 25:3)
-are lead in His truth, and wait for His salvation, (Psalm 25:5).
-become people of integrity and uprightness, (Psalm 25:21).
-gain courage and strength of heart, (Psalm 27:14).
-have rest in the LORD, and need not worry about the wicked man, (Psalm 37:7).
-will inherit the earth, (Psalm 37:9).
-are an encouragement to other believers (Psalm 52:9).
-He defends, (Psalm 59:9).
-see His provision, when no one else can help, (Psalm 62:5).
-see His mercy, (Psalm 123:2).
-have hope, (Psalm 130:5).
-see His provision at the right time (Psalm 145:15).
-will see God take care of his enemies (Proverbs 20:22).
-see His grace and mercy, (Isaiah 30:18).
-receive strength from Him, (Isaiah 40:31).
-trust in Him, (Isaiah 51:5).
-will receive a blessing from Him, (Jeremiah 14:22).
-will see the goodness and salvation of the LORD, (Lamentations 3:25-26).
Won’t you agree that according to the Word of God waiting on the LORD is a relevant discipline?
Who needs to “wait on the LORD?”
Believers who love and live for the LORD.
Believers going through trials and testing.
Believers who are worshipping the LORD.
Believers serving the LORD.
Believers who are in any kind of distress.
Believers concerned for the glory of the LORD.
Believers who are carrying heavy burdens.
Believers who sincerely desire to do the LORD’s will.
“Waiting on the LORD” is a time of putting your life on hold. Most of us spend our lives waiting for something…
A traffic light
A phone call or letter
That Job interview
The big game
Our spouse or children
An appointment
Our mechanic
The repairman
Our diet to work
How do we “wait on the LORD?” We wait:
Patiently
Expectantly
Obediently
Hopefully
Knowledgeably
Trustingly
Confidently
Why? But why be concerned with “how” we wait? Because we are waiting on the LORD. We are seeking Him, His will, His directions, His help to do what He asks us to do.
“Waiting on the LORD” is:
Spending time with Him in His Word.
We study God’s Word, looking for answers, believing and acting upon what He says, living by the Word of God, not our feelings.
Spending time with Him in Prayer.
We pray for God’s wisdom, praying about the problems/topics at hand, asking for godly discernment.
Spending time with the Lord, recalling His working in our lives, thinking about His answers, what He is doing in and through me. It’s about His plans, not mine.
“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart:”
Don’t panic! Be strong, don’t faint! Take courage! He will give your heart strength! This idea, “be of good courage” is an important one. The opposite of taking courage is to give up the courage or to let ourselves become dis-couraged. We must take courage, and then our God gives us strength for our hearts. As we are actively, obediently “taking courage,” God acts and grants us strength.
“Wait, I say, on the LORD.”
David has learned this truth through his obedience to the LORD. Based upon his experience with the faithful God, he can say, “here’s what you need to do!” “Wait on the LORD!”
Oh child of God, how’s your “waiting” coming?
In this verse, I learn that My God Is Always Working in My Life!