18 September 2023 - How do we wait for God?

In Isaiah waiting for God implies that the people of God are in trouble. They are in danger from enemies, and the temptation is very great to hastily seek the help of men instead of waiting for God to act.

Isaiah 31:1(NIV) Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the LORD.

Waiting for the Lord means, firstly, looking to the Lord, consulting or seeking His will before any human aid is pursued. In short, we wait for the Lord when we pause to pray before we act.

The first act of waiting is to seek God’s counsel in prayer before any attempt is made to solve the problem ourselves. Psalm 106:13(ESV) But they soon forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel.

This is how we wait for God:

• Wait in faith - Hebrews 11:6(NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.Waiting in faith means firmly believing that God is going to fulfil His promises. He will deliver us from our struggles when the time is right. When that happens, we’ll rejoice in His goodness, but until then, we wait in faith.

• Wait with hope in God - Micah 7:7(NIV) But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Saviour; my God will hear me.

• Wait in prayer - Psalm 27:14(NKJV) Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!

• Giving thanks to God - 1 Thessalonians 5:18(ESV) … give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

We do not cease to wait for God when we begin to act ourselves.

Proverbs 21:31(ESV) The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.