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 WAIT
According to the dictionary to wait means:
·
to remain or rest in expectation
·
to look forward expectantly
·
to remain stationary in readiness and
expectation
·
to tarry until another catches up
·
to remain or be in readiness
·
to be ready and available
·
to remain temporarily neglected,
unattended to, or postponed
Some
synonyms for wait are:
linger, abide, delay, tarry
THE
WAITING ROOM
All of us know a waiting room as a place where it seems that time is
standing still. It is a place where life is put on hold. In my doctor’s
waiting room, for example, it feels like hours have passed, and yet when I
look at my watch, it’s been only 20 minutes. In life we often feel that
we are in a waiting room - it seems as if nothing is happening, if we are
forgotten, if any progress has come to a screeching halt.
LIFE’S
WAITING ROOM
Most of us are waiting for something most of the time.
What
are you waiting for?
·
a letter saying that you are forgiven?
·
good news from your lawyer?
·
an appointment with the parole board?
·
a court date?
·
a miracle?
Or
maybe …
·
Maybe you are ill (or have a loved one
who is) and you are waiting for your health to improve.
·
Maybe you are on a diet and waiting for
your weight to drop a few grams.
·
Maybe you are a single person and you are
waiting for Mr. Right.
·
Maybe you are waiting for your husband or
child or a friend to become interested in spiritual things, and give their
life to the Lord Jesus.
·
Maybe you are just waiting for another
day to pass.
·
Maybe you are waiting for “better
times” to come …
WAIT
ON THE LORD
One
of the important messages of the Bible is the call to “wait on the
Lord.” Even though God promises special blessings for waiting, waiting
is one of the most difficult things to do. Why is it so hard? I think it
is because we want to take matters into our own hands, we want to follow
our own schemes, we want God to fall in with our time tables and limits.
Yet, over and over again we are told in Scripture to “wait on the
Lord.”
WHAT
DOES IT MEAN TO WAIT ON THE LORD?
When we look at the different Hebrew words used for “wait” in the
Bible, it can help us to give an answer to this question:
Qavah:
to wait hopefully, to wait eagerly
I waited
patiently for the LORD; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
(Ps 40:2-4)
Yachal:
to wait in hope, to trust
..they
shall wait upon Me, and on Mine arm shall they trust. (Is
51:5)
Damam:
to be dumb, grow silent, be still, tarry, rest
My soul, be silent only to God; for my hope is from Him. (Ps
62:5)
Chul/Chiyl:
to swirl down,
to make no progress for a period of time. (It reminds me of the phrase
that teenagers use when they say: “just chill”, which means relax,
keep quiet, calm down, stop worrying)
Rest in the LORD, and
wait patiently for Him (Ps 37: 7)
Chakah:
to wait, tarry, or long for
Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. (Ps 33:20)
WAITING
INVOLVES SEEKING THE LORD
The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him.
(Lam 3:25)
Waiting
on the Lord always means seeking the Lord (focussing on Him, wanting more
of Him in your life). When we enter God’s “waiting room”, we are not
to just sit as one might in the doctor’s chair. Rather, we need to spend
time seeking Him.
We can seek Him through:
The Word: studying the Bible, seeking answers, and claiming
God’s promises
Prayer:
praying about our issues, praying for wisdom and discernment
Meditating:
Focus on who God is, what He wants to do in
us, for us, and through us.
WAITING
INVOLVES KNOWLEDGE OF AND TRUST IN GOD
In the Bible “wait” is always in the context of “wait on”
or “wait for” the Lord – we won’t be able to wait
for Him to act if we do not know His character and what He is able to do.
If we know Him, we will be able to trust in His wisdom, love, timing,
understanding of our situation, etc. Then we will be able to wait for His
help, His answer, His salvation, and His victory.
We
can say that waiting is wrapped up with knowing, trusting, and believing
in the Lord and His character and in His promises.
WAITING
INVOLVES BEING CONTENT WITH GOD’S TIMING AND PROVISION
To wait on the Lord means to be content and patient, because we are
clinging to God and resting in His love and wisdom.
We naturally long for many things such as love, acceptance, purpose in
life, food, clothing, comfort, pleasure, and security. BUT often we tell
ourselves that we can’t be happy unless we have certain “things”,
like a particular kind of car, or home, or furnishings for our home, or
designer clothes or expensive jewellery. We believe that we can’t find
meaning in life unless we have a certain job, are respected by people,
etc.
When
we believe this, we become discontent, and this is when we turn from
waiting on the Lord to our own strategies to get what WE want.
Do
you believe that God is always in control of everything, and that He knows
what is best for us, and that He is always “on time” with His help?
– then you will be able to wait with hope on Him.
HOW
DO WE WAIT ON THE LORD?
Patiently
I wait patiently for God to save me; I depend on Him alone. (Ps 62:1)
Be loyal and just, and wait patiently for your God to act. (Hos 12:6)
Eagerly
I wait eagerly for the LORD's help, and in His word I trust. (Ps 130:5)
With
confidence
But I will watch for the LORD; I will wait confidently for God, who will
save me. My God will hear me. (Mic 7:7)
Expectantly
What's God going to say to my questions? I'm braced for the worst. I'll
climb to the lookout tower and scan the horizon. I'll wait to see what God
says, how He'll answer my complaint. (Hab 2:1)
With hope
Wait with hope for the LORD, and follow His path (Ps 37:34)
With trust
What am I waiting for? I depend on You, Lord! (Ps 39:7)
In silence
Only God can save me, and I calmly wait for Him. (Ps 62:1)
It is good to continue to hope and wait silently for the LORD to save us.
(Lam 3:26)
With longing
GOD proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who
diligently seeks. (Lam 3:25)
With
tears
I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with
waiting for my God. (Ps 69:3)
WHAT
ARE WE WAITING FOR?
For Him to act
Be patient and wait for the LORD to act (Ps 37:7)-
For salvation
It is good to continue to hope and wait silently for the LORD to save us.
(Lam 3:26)
New strength,
refreshment
Yet, the strength of those who wait with hope in the LORD will be renewed.
They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and won't become weary.
They will walk and won't grow tired. (Isaiah 40:31)
Victory
You will not have to fight this battle. Just take up your positions and
wait; you will see the LORD give you victory. (2Chron 20:17)
God’s help
We wait for the LORD. He is our help and our shield. (Ps 33:20)
Answer to prayer
… I offer my prayer and wait for Your answer. (Ps 5:3)
God’s
instructions
"Wait until I receive instructions from the LORD." (Num 9:8)
WAITING
LIFTS US OUT OF DESPAIR AND CAUSES PRAISE TO GOD
When we are in despair or depressed or in difficult circumstances, we moan
and groan, whine and complain. But waiting on the Lord gets our eyes
focused on Him. It puts a song in our hearts and praise on our lips.
I waited patiently for the LORD. He turned to me and heard my cry for
help. He pulled me out of a horrible pit, out of the mud and clay. He set
my feet on a rock and made my steps secure. He placed a new song in my
mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see this and worship. They
will trust the LORD. Blessed is the person who places his confidence in
the LORD (Ps 40:1-4)
Why
are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my
eyes on God-- soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face.
He's my God. (Ps 42:11)
Everything
GOD does is right-- the trademark on all His works is love. GOD's there,
listening for all who pray, for all who pray and mean it. He does what's
best for those who fear Him-- hears them call out, and saves them. GOD
sticks by all who love Him, but it's all over for those who don't. My
mouth is filled with GOD's praise. Let everything living bless Him, bless
His holy name from now to eternity! (Ps 145:17-21)
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