Waiting on the Lord

Recently, I waited in line for over an hour to get new car tags. While sitting there, I had the chance to look around the room and watch everyone else as they were waiting. The little boy in front of me was in and out of his chair repeatedly. He could not sit still. The lady to my right just kept rolling her eyes, crossing and uncrossing her arms, and sighing very loudly. One man had kicked back to take a quick nap. None of us wanted to spend a beautiful afternoon sitting in hard, plastic chairs in a government office. But all of us wanted the benefit of our waiting: valid car tags.

Waiting is part of life, isn’t it? (And it’s not a part I really enjoy!) We wait on our kids, we wait in traffic, we wait to hear the doctor’s report, and we wait for God to answer our prayers.

Waiting is a word we find mentioned throughout the Bible. We’re encouraged over and over again to “wait on the Lord.” Let God do what He needs to do. Allow God time to act on our behalf.

When we do wait, we are promised some wonderful blessings. Isaiah 40:31 puts it this way: “But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind” (msg).

Waiting on the Lord is not easy! Nor is it enjoyable. But it is always worthwhile. One of my wise friends used to say on a regular basis, “I’d rather be six months behind God than one step in front of Him. It’s always best to wait on the Lord’s impeccable timing.”

Today, as you are waiting in line at the bank or grocery store, look to the Lord and invite Him to renew your strength as you wait. I pray He will empower you as you step a little closer to Him.

Lord, help me as I wait on You. I want to rush ahead and do this my own way, but that never works out too well. Would You give me fresh strength, energy, and power as I wait on You? I need You, Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.