Psalm 40:1
I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
David understood the importance of waiting on God. He understood that if he did not wait on God, he would mess up God’s plan for his life. Let’s just consider how David waited. He could have easily moved ahead of God when he was anointed king while Saul was still alive, but he waited for God to set him up as king, and God kept His word and made him king. David could have been impatient with God while Saul pursued him, but he waited patiently on God, and God inclined unto David and heard his cry. David’s patience in waiting on God is one of the key reasons God used him in such a mighty way.
I am afraid that many believers are impatient with God and move ahead to their own hurt. If you are like me, I want everything to happen now, but I have learned to wait on God because His timing is impeccable, and He always does a better job than I will do at what I am waiting for Him to do. I have learned that I will mess things up if I move ahead of God. So, what does it mean to wait on God?
First, waiting means not moving ahead of the LORD. Many have presumptuously moved when they wanted something, only to find their moving ahead made matters worse. I understand wanting God to do everything now, but waiting for the LORD to move me ahead is the most beneficial. God knows that we are often not ready to move ahead, so He prepares us to move ahead while we wait on Him. God always prepares you to do whatever He has planned if you wait for Him to move you.
Second, waiting means to delay until the LORD works. As a pastor, I have many dreams I want the LORD to do, but I have found that waiting for the LORD to work is always better than moving ahead without God. You are going ahead by yourself if you move ahead of God, which never results in good.
Third, waiting means to trust the LORD’s timing. God’s timing is impeccable, but you must trust His timing if you are to wait patiently. Do you not think that God knows what is best for your life? If God knows what is best for your life, then He also knows what timing is best for what you want to do. Be patient with the LORD’s timing. Stop being frustrated with the LORD. God has a purpose for His timing, and that purpose is always better than your timing.
Fourth, waiting means to pray until He works. Prayer is the best way to curb your impatience with God’s timing. You may be frustrated that God is not coming through immediately, but you can pour your complaint out to God in prayer. God is not so thin-skinned that He cannot take your complaints. Rather, God wants you to cast your cares upon Him. Prayer will do more to make your situation come to fruition than bitterness over God’s timing in your life will ever do. When you need God to do something, pray much and wait for God to move forward. Praying always helps your trust and gives patience in God’s timing.
Fifth, waiting means to serve God until the LORD works. Instead of sitting and doing nothing, stay busy serving the LORD until He comes through. You will find the victory you seek is often found while you wait on God and serve Him. God is more inclined to answer the prayer of the person who waits on Him because He knows that person has total trust in His providence and power.
Amen