Should we wait upon God?

One of the disciplines of the christian life, and which requires patience, is waiting upon God. For example, when we pray, we must wait upon God for the answers. And this should be respected. Otherwise why pray if we are not prepared to wait.

First and foremost, let us recognize that God is Sovereign, and as such He is fully in control of all things. Waiting upon God has great benefits for those who are willing to wait. 

Here is a great promise to those who wait on the Lord. The prophet Isaiah wrote: “But they who wait for 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” (Isaiah 40:31). 

According to this text, waiting prepares and equips us to better live the christian life by increasing our strength and also our faith, trust, and hope in the Lord so that we will be better able to endure to the end.  

For King David, waiting on the Lord seems to have been of utmost importance. Here’s what he said on more than one occasion: “Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14). And again David says, “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation; my fortress; I shall not be shaken” (Psalm 62:5,6).

We live in a society where waiting is not important. We stand for nothing and fall for everything. Just about everything seems instant. People always appear to be in a mad hurry. “I can’t wait, I have to go,” is a familiar cry. Then there is the fast food industry, providing “meals on the go” for people with little or no time to spare. 

As believers in Christ, christians must not be persuaded to do as the world does. We stick to the principles of God’s Word and practice its teachings. As James tells us “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). This is obedience.

One of the many good and interesting things while waiting on the Lord is, He keeps His word.

He fulfills his promises. We can certainly depend on that. Didn’t He say, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

The prophet Jeremiah speaks of God’s faithfulness and trustworthiness: “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him” (Lamentations 3:22-25). 

Let us not for one moment think because we are waiting that God has forgotten us. Absolutely not. The text assures us that God’s love never ceases; his mercies never come to an end: they are new every morning. This should certainly strengthen and support our faith and confidence in God. 

Abraham waited for a long time before it would be God’s time for him to have Isaac. There are times when God answers our prayers quicker than at other times. Whereas, we may not know the reasons why; but we can rest assured that our God “has done all things well” (Mark 7:37).

Abraham “patiently waited on God’s promise.” God requires us to be “imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise” (Hebrews 6:12-15).

Note: Abraham patiently waited. And then the result: Abraham obtained the promise. It may be long or it may be quicker; the focus must be on the answer. God is saying to you and me, “Call to me and. I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” (Jeremiah 33:3). 

Unlike man, God keeps His word, and He means what He says. It’s natural for us to know the great and hidden things that you have not known, which God has promised. Therefore, let us call and patiently wait on God’s response. Dear G

There are several things we can do while we are waiting on God’s response to our prayer requests. Consider first of all, wait with joyful and inspiring anticipation with the willingness to submit to God’s divine will. Keeping in mind that only God knows what’s the very best for us as His children. Remember, only God knows what God is able to accomplish.

Another essential aspect of waiting is to keep on praying. Don’t give up. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Doing this will deliver great spiritual benefits to us. 

O God, teach me your will and your way

So I can know how to prayerfully wait on you