WAITING ON THE LORD

TEXT: Isa 40:27-31, Ps 27:14, Ps 40:1-4.

To wait on The Lord is to depend on Him for everything. It is to endure the passage of time. It is to patiently trust in God to come to one's aid in times of need or trouble for guidance, direction, and solution. It is to be expectant and total submission to God's better offer, idea and solution. It is to turn to Him completely and to declare your confidence in Him that He is more than able.

The Bible says in Isa 40:31, "But they that wait upon The Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint." This assures you that God's power and strength never diminishes. He is never tired or too busy to come to your aid, to strengthen you, to renew you and fulfil His promises in your life. Through patience, and comfort from the word of God there is hope for you. Amen. Also Ps 27:14 says, "Wait on The Lord, be of good courage and He shall strengthen thine heart. Wait, I say on The Lord."

Waiting is a command as written in Ps 37:34 and it is also with a promise that if you wait on The Lord you will be exalted and inherit the land. Have unwavering confidence in God, He is always offering help, hope and solutions. Waiting time or period is not to be spent passively but actively filling the gap with thanksgiving, quality worship, high praises, feeding yourself regularly with the word of God and applying it to the situation with prayer and fasting, and exercising your faith and hoping to receive from God.

The scripture admonishes you in James 5:8 to be patient, illustrating how a farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop after planting, how to stand firm and wait for the Lord's coming. As a pregnant woman expectantly waits to see a new baby delivered and makes preparations for it and so also is your waiting because joy always follow afterwards. These words are encouraging, so be patient in everything and wait on The Lord. Trust him with all your worries.

The scripture encourages you in Hosea 12:6 to wait on your God continually. Also, in Habakkuk 2:3b, "Though it tarry, wait for it because it will surely come." Whatever you are waiting for will surely come. And do you know that while you are waiting, God is working behind the scene on your case because He cares for you. Just cast your burden upon him as in Proverbs 16:3.

Also the Bible says in James 1:4, "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Brethren, trust God with all your burden and concerns. Let him be at the centre of your life. You must learn to wait on God for everything since without Him you cannot do anything John 15:5.

You may be waiting on God for salvation, providence, blessings, the day of the Lord's coming, promotion, healing, restoration, job, future partner, and fruit of the womb and so on. Whatever it is, trust Him, for nothing is too difficult for him who brings light into darkness and makes springs of water flow in the desert. He says in Ps 55:22, cast your care and burden upon him. All you need is to wait on him.

Let us consider some individuals: David, Jacob, Job and Isaiah, who waited on The Lord in the Bible.

David knew from experience what it meant to wait on The Lord. He was anointed King at the age of sixteen but did not become king until he was thirty years old. Despite the fact that he was chased through the desert and from town to cave by king Saul, he waited on The Lord for the fulfilment of His promise. David eventually mounted the throne as king of Israel. No wonder he admonished you with Ps 27:14 to wait on The Lord, “I admonish you to wait on The Lord, for your waiting shall not be in vain”.

Jacob had to wait for extra seven years to serve Laban to be able to marry Rachel whom he wanted as wife. Despite the deceit from Laban by giving him Leah; his first daughter, as wife instead of Rachel, Jacob still served and waited to get what he wanted. Brethren, your waiting will not be in vain. (Amen). Jacob's waiting was not in vain. The Bible says in Ps 37:34 that "Those that wait on The Lord will inherit the Land."

Despite all that Job went through, he lost almost all he had but he said in Job 14:14, "If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hard service, will I wait for my renewal to come." Job was so hopeful and waited on The Lord for renewal and he had a better testimony.

Prophet Isaiah said in Isa 8:17, "I will wait for The Lord, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, I will put my trust in him." Despite the fact that the situation then was not encouraging, it was like heaven was closed against the Israelites and prophecies seemed not to be coming to pass but Isaiah made up his mind to wait on The Lord and he did and experienced the fulfilment of the prophecies.

Brethren, God is worth waiting on. Since you have no power of your own to get anything done you just have to wait on The Lord your source.

Benefits of waiting on The Lord:
- Blessings always follow a period of waiting. Ps 40:1-4
- Waiting helps you to develop your faith and character. Jam 1:3-4

-It leads you to a way of righteousness. Ps 37:6
- God will exalt you to inherit the land. Ps 37:34
- The Lord will be good to you. Lam 3:25
- Blessed are you if you wait on him. Isa 30:18
- God will keep you in perfect peace. Isa 26:3
- He will be your help and your shield. Ps 33:20
- It brings you closer to God and enables you to give glory to Him only, rather than glorify self or other power.
- Christ will appear a second time to bring salvation to you if you wait for him till the end. Heb 9:28.

PRAYER
Father, thank you for your care and love for me. I know no one else can change my situation and circumstances for better. Grant me the grace and the patience I need to be able to wait on you in all things in Jesus name I pray. Amen.