Waiting on God

In many places in the Bible, we are told to wait for the Lord, and it’s not just talking about His return.  For example, in Psalm 40:1, David says, “I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry.”  This would make you believe, and rightly so, that when you come to the Lord in prayer, He does hear your cry and answers.  Recently, I used that phrase, waiting on God, and the Lord used it to teach me a practical lesson.  I hope it will help you as it has helped me.

A friend of mine asked me to consider helping support her in prayer and finances in an upcoming mission trip.  I prayed and knew immediately that I would support her in prayer.  When I told her this, I added that I was waiting on God to let me know whether I was to give financially to her trip, as well.  Later that day, I heard my part of that conversation in my mind again, and realized that I wasn’t waiting on God at all.  I had lifted it up in prayer, but I hadn’t waited at all.  As I thought further, several things came to mind concerning what really happens many times when we supposedly wait on God for an answer.  Does God need to think about whatever it is in order to give us the answer?  Or is He withholding from us what we need to hear? A resounding “No!” to both questions.  What do I really do when I think I wait on God?

James 4:2-3 (NIV), “…You do not have, because you do not ask God.  ³ When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives…”

1. Many times, I don’t really sit quietly in His presence, listening.  In this example, I didn’t stop long enough to give God the chance to answer my question of whether to offer financial support to my friend.  I can almost see God sitting there as I bring the issue before Him.  He’s just about to give me the answer when I go on to the next subject, or leave Him completely.  He’s a gentleman and doesn’t force His answer on me.  How patient He is with me while He waits for me to come back to hear!
2. Sometimes, I am not really ready to hear His answer.
   • Maybe I’m not completely willing to do what is required if His answer is to do it.  Or maybe I’m not willing to give it up if He says not to do it.  His answer might require an action now, and I’m busy working out my plans.
   • Very close to the previous is the possibility that I have already made up my mind what I want to do and don’t really want to give God a chance to tell me otherwise.  I don’t really wait, sitting still in His presence, for Him to answer; yet I make myself feel good about it by saying that I prayed about it.  After all, I did throw it at Him.
   • This, too, is very similar to the others in #2.  Many times I don’t want to wait for His answer because I am truly fearful of what He might require of me.  I’m afraid it might be hard or painful, etc.  It really comes down to fearing that God isn’t looking out for me, but God has only good for me.  He always looks out for my best because He loves me so.  I have to remind myself that His perfect love is for me, even if what I must endure is hard or painful in the process.  It is in these times that I must return to familiar Scriptures, to the place of trusting Him, and then truly waiting for His answer:

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

1 John 4:18 (NIV) “There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

I know there are more issues at work in the midst of our not hearing God’s answer.  As you can see from my experiences, many times while I think I am waiting on the Lord to give me the answer, He is actually waiting on me.  And if I will truly wait, getting past any of the issues that might cloud my hearing, He will gladly give His perfect answer to me.  Wonderful waiting to you, my friends!

Isaiah 30:18 AMP “And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you.  For the Lord is a God of justice.  Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!”

© Copyright 2004 Kay V. Stocking