Depending on how long you have been a Christian, it is safe to say that you have probably heard or read the phrase ‘Wait on the Lord’ more times than you can count. In today’s blog, we will be looking into what it really means to wait on the Lord.
The word ‘wait’ in Hebrew is ‘KAWA’ which means to ‘intertwine’. In order to be intertwined with something, you have to be so closely knit into it that it is difficult for the outsider to tell both entities apart. As you intertwine two objects, you get to the point where you don’t know the beginning or the end of both objects. The same thing goes for you when you intertwine with the Lord, that is, when you wait on the Lord. One thing we can get out of this definition is that the word ‘wait’, contrary to popular belief, is an action word. Waiting is in fact a movement. It involves a certain form of transformation – one that requires patience and trust. Your very nature is transformed when you wait.
To understand the practicality of being intertwined with the Lord, let us explore its biblical foundation and gain some insights, shall we?
First and foremost, we must acknowledge the massive factor trust plays in the process of waiting. Not just saying that you trust God, but actually trusting in His timing. Waiting on the Lord will require you to acknowledge that God has a perfect plan and timetable for every aspect of our lives. This is the hard part because most of us have a timetable of our own. For some of us, the world or our parents or our employers have set a timetable for us. In all of this, you have to choose to surrender your timetable and patiently rely on God’s wisdom and sovereignty. In Psalm 27:14, David writes, “Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” Similarly, Isaiah 40:31 states, “But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” These verses remind us that waiting on the Lord strengthens our faith and provides us with the necessary endurance to navigate the challenges that will come.
Waiting on the Lord also involves seeking His guidance and direction in making decisions. So not only are you surrendering your agendas, but you are also surrendering your decisions. You have to come to the realistic acknowledgement that you know nothing. Your own understanding is limited and will always be, but God’s wisdom is infinite. Proverbs 3:5-6 teaches, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” This Scripture emphasizes the importance of relying on God’s leading and waiting for His direction before taking action. In seeking God and his guidance before making any decisions, you are aligning yourself with His perfect will which will always bring you peace.
This process of being intertwined stretches your faith and enhances your spiritual growth and maturity. It challenges us to develop virtues such as patience and perseverance. James 1:3-4 affirms, “for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” When we patiently wait on the Lord… that is, when we are intertwined with Him, we allow Him to work within us, refining our character and conforming us to the image of Christ.
During this season, the strength you need can only be found in God’s promises. The Bible is filled with assurances of God’s faithfulness and provision for those who wait on Him. Isaiah 30:18 assures us, “Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.” Lamentations 3:25 states, “The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” These promises remind us that God rewards those who trust in Him and wait patiently for Him.
Lastly and most beautifully, the process of being intertwined with God deepens our intimacy with Him. It is in the waiting that we learn to lean on God, commune with Him in prayer, and seek His presence. Psalm 130:5 declares, “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word, I hope.” Through this waiting, we draw closer to God, develop a greater understanding of His character, and experience His faithfulness firsthand.
So if you really think about it, the process of waiting is an invitation to intimacy – as we align our hearts with His and learn to trust Him more deeply.
Till next time,
KAWA