We often wait for people, things, or results in our lives. Waiting may not be as pleasant as anticipating the arrival of a newborn baby, the results of a school exam, or the diagnosis from the doctor of a physical ailment. When a farmer waits and prays for rain, he expects a bountiful harvest. In these cases, we usually experience feelings of anxiety and restlessness.
In our Christian walk, we also wait for God’s answers to our prayers. But waiting for God is a different perspective or a distinct type of anticipation. It is a unique mindset and set of actions that relate to the divine. Moreover, waiting on God is not necessarily a passive attribute but also relates to some actions as we honor and serve God and other people.
Contents
What Does Waiting On God Mean?
Waiting For His Presence
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.—Psalm 130:5
Waiting for the Lord[1] can be difficult, especially in times of uncertainty. It requires a lot of faith, but it is worth it in the end. It also brings us closer to Him and helps us grow in our relationship with Him. But no matter how long it takes, we can have hope and patience, knowing that God is always present with us. His omnipresence gives us assurance that He will never leave our side and will remain faithful to us despite all the adversities we face in life.
Waiting For Answers To Our Prayers
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.—Psalm 5:3
Have you ever felt like God is not answering your prayers? That He is silent and doesn’t seem to be listening? We can all relate to the feeling of waiting for God’s answers to our prayers. Waiting for God’s replies is often a difficult, trying process. We can feel like we are in a constant state of expectant eagerness, yet we must remain patient and trust that God will answer our requests and pleas in His own time.
David proclaimed this sentiment when he said in Psalm b, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” We must remember that while we wait for God’s answers, He is still working on our behalf.
Waiting For God’s Judgment
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.—2 Corinthians 5:10
We all know that one day, we will have to face God’s judgment for our actions on Earth. This is a concept that has been around for centuries, and it is a fear that many of us live with every day. The thought of being judged by God can be quite daunting, and it can lead to feelings of anxiety and fear.
However, we must remember that God’s judgment is not something to be feared but rather something to look forward to. Waiting on God means we have the opportunity to make sure we live a righteous life on earth. When the time comes, we can stand before God’s judgment seat with a loud voice, knowing that our lives have been lived in accordance with His teachings.
Is Waiting On God Difficult?
God’s Timing Is Different
To keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time.—1 Timothy 6:14–15
We often get baffled or perplexed to learn that God’s timing in response to our prayers, pleas, and expectations is different from ours. But, God’s timing is different from ours. This can be confusing, especially when we are used to wanting things our way or when we want things quickly.
When God says “no,” it doesn’t mean that He doesn’t love us. It just means that He knows something better for us than what we’re doing right now. But God knows what is best for us, even when we don’t know what that is. Nevertheless, God loves us and has good plans for our lives.
What To Do While Waiting On God?
Pray Without Ceasing
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
Prayer is one of the most powerful ways that we can communicate with God because it allows us to open ourselves up and let Him into our hearts and minds. It allows us to be honest with Him about what’s going on inside our minds and hearts so that He can help us deal with our life issues in a healthy way.
Praying while waiting for God is an important part of our lives. We can pray anywhere, anytime, and we can pray for others. Praying without ceasing is not just about asking God for things but also about thanking Him for everything He has done for us and everything that He has given us so far.
This prayer should be done every day, no matter what our current situation is or what we have been through in our life. Relentless prayer not only deepens our faith and repels Satan’s evil devices, but also draws us nearer to God.
Read God’s Word
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.—Romans 15:4
The Bible is a book of truth. God’s Word reveals His commands, His will for us, and the path to salvation. Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). When we wait for God, we are not waiting for the Lord to do something for us—a miracle or an answer to prayer. We are waiting on God, who is always present and always working. If we want to know God’s promises and what the Lord’s will is for us, read Bible verses while we’re waiting for Him.
Do Not Be Anxious
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.—Philippians 4:6
Waiting on the Lord is not easy. It can be a trying time filled with anxiety and worry. But the Bible encourages us to be still before God (Psalm 46:10). This verse reminds us that we can turn our worries over to God and trust that He will provide what we need in due time.
When life becomes difficult, it can be tempting to take matters into our own hands and try to fix the problem ourselves. But many times, this leads to more frustration and worry. Instead, we need to just wait quietly on the Lord.
4 Ways We Can Practice While Waiting On God
- Clarify. Identify what we are really waiting for.
- Trust. We can fully trust God and rely on His power and sovereignty.
- Relentless Prayer. God requires constant communication and fellowship with Him.
- Serving God And Other People. Servitude strengthens our godly character.
3 Bible Verses About Waiting On God
Isaiah 40:31
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Proverbs 20:22
Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.
Psalm 33:20
Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.
3 Things Waiting On God Can Teach Us
Patience
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.—Psalm 37:7
When we are waiting on God, it can be easy to become anxious or worried. We may wonder when He will come, or if He even will. We may worry that things won’t go our way, or that we won’t get what we want. But we need to remember that God is in control, and he knows what is best for us. He has a plan for us, and he will carry out that plan in his own time.
Having a tonality of patience allows us to appreciate each blessing along the way and look forward with hope for the future, no matter how long it takes for something to happen.
Perseverance
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.—Galatians 6:9
We all go through trials and tribulations in this life, but how we handle them speaks volumes about our character. It’s easy to give up when things don’t go our way, but after waiting patiently with determination and perseverance, we reap a good harvest. Our faith may be put to the test during these trying times, but ultimately, He will guide us through if we remain obedient to His Word.
Sanctification
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.—Galatians 2:20
The Christian life is one of holiness—stripped of our earthly and sinful nature. We are called to live lives that are closer to the image of Christ. Waiting on God means living a life of piety, or reverence for God. It also means allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell within us and help us resist evil.
The closer we are to God, the more resilient we will be against the wicked schemes of the Enemy. As we trust in God’s timing, He will continue to work in us and bring us closer to His perfect likeness.
Conclusion
Waiting for the Lord can be a challenging and difficult process or undertaking for many people. But for Christians, waiting for God means many different things. But they always point to the divine. We know that God is with us, and the Holy Spirit dwells in us.
Despite our fallen and imperfect earthly state, we remain confident about our challenging daily lives and secure about our eternal salvation. Our waiting for the Lord simply points to the most anticipated event in human history—the second arrival of our Messiah, Jesus Christ. No longer are we anxious about the concerns of this world, but we remain hopeful of our eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven.