What does it mean to wait on the Lord?
To wait means to pause, to soberly consider our own inadequacies and the Lord’s all sufficiency, and to seek counsel and help from the Lord and to hope in Him. Waiting involves submission to the Word of God, the will of God, and the ways of God. Waiting is saying, “I’m not going to do this on my own. I’m going to do this in the strength that God provides. Lord, I’m going to let you be wind beneath my wings that causes me to be who You want me to be.”
Waiting is trusting. Waiting is letting go and trusting God to guide and direct your life. Waiting is fully surrendering.
What’s the point of waiting on the Lord when those who don’t seem to be prospering?
The psalmist writes in Psalm 37:7, “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.” And then in Psalm 25:4-5: “Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.”
Waiting results in a clearer perspective and perception of reality. Do you know how to get over being all bent out of shape because of the people who are doing things wrong and seem to be profiting? Just wait on the Lord. Go before the Lord, and put it all in His hands, and He will help you get a perspective on life. And you will see that not everything that seems to be important at the present is ultimately important. Waiting will give you perspective.
What’s so wrong with taking charge of my life?
Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles.” They shall soar!
Only a few birds, like the eagle, are capable of soaring. Eagle’s wings are so strong that they can catch rising currents of warm air that go straight up from the earth. And without moving a feather, they can soar up to great heights. In fact, some eagles have been clocked at up to 80 miles per hour without flapping their wings at all. They just soar on the invisible columns of air.
Now, if you want to go through your whole life doing your own thing, and just flailing around, you can do that. You won’t get anywhere. You’ll make a lot of commotion, and you’ll wear yourself out pretty quickly. Or perhaps have one little moment of glory and grace before gliding into the earth. But if you let God teach you to soar like an eagle, and rest in the updrafts of His Spirit, you get the energy that comes from Him, and you soar in His strength.