"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength" (Isaiah 40:31).

Waiting on the Lord

What does it mean to "wait on the Lord"? Often this sentiment is expressed in scripture. David said, "Wait upon the Lord, be of good courage. He shall strengthen your heart" (Psalms 27:14).

Many of us have failed to understand "waiting on the Lord," because we think in terms of passivity — just sitting around waiting for God to do something. But waiting on God is not passivity, it is activity. You take the initiative. When my parents were young, and a young man was courting a young lady, it was said he was "waiting on her." That meant he was actively pursuing her.

Our strength depends upon our "waiting on the Lord." Four verses will tell us what this means.

1. First, it means to long for the Lord. A deep desire for God! "Truly my soul waiteth upon God, from Him cometh my salvation" (Psalms 62:1). That is, O God you are the One I need! "As the hart (deer) pants after the water-brooks, so my soul pants for you, O God." "My soul thirsteth for thee" (Psalms 63:1). Do you thirst for God?

2. Second, it means to listen to God. "Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gate, waiting at the posts of my doors" (Proverbs 8:34). Waiting here is tied to listening! When I wait on God I have tuned my ear to His word. I watch daily at His doors. We have an appointment — a quiet time to wait, to look, to listen to Him.

3. Third, waiting on God is living for Him. "Whosoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit. So he who waits on his Master will be honored" (Proverbs 27:18). How do you keep a fig tree? You prune it, water it, nurture it, fertilize it — whatever is necessary to keep it healthy and fruitful. Then you have the right to eat of it. Waiting on God is serving Him. When you go to a restaurant, a waiter or waitress comes to your table. Why are they called waiters? Because they serve us! When you are "waiting on God" don’t sit around waiting for God to do something — serve Him!

Waiting on God is longing for Him; listening to Him and living for Him.

Clarence DeLoach