Why Are We Told to Wait on the Lord?

There is instant coffee, instant tea, soup, grits, oatmeal, potatoes, milk, instant internet access, fast-food restaurants, and frozen meals; the list is endless, and it appears as if it is continually growing.

We get so impatient at a traffic light, being behind someone driving too slowly, or waiting in the checkout line at a store. Just look at people’s facial expressions.

We want things done now, quicker, faster; we do not want to have to wait for anything. That is what is classified as being impatient. We have let impatience rule in every aspect of our lives.

How Can We Wait on the Lord?

Have you ever noticed that God does not always move instantly? What? Why not? How do we fix this? We do not have the option or the capability to fix it. We must wait upon the Lord.

When Adam walked with God in the garden, did he perform a fast-paced walk? Did Adam go for a jog? Did he get ahead of God? I think not and neither should we.

We should not try to get ahead of the Lord, but we are not to sit and do nothing. While we are waiting for God to move or to act, we are to serve, we are to pray, and we are to minister unto others.

Our Scripture today tells us that David called unto God, he waited, and God answered.

Trusting that God will help us is not simple, however, David received four blessings from his waiting: God lifted him out of the gloom, God set his feet on firm ground, God set up his goings (kept him steady as he walked), and God gave him another song.

There are times when gifts and blessings cannot be obtained except if we go through the preliminary trial of waiting.

Christians are admonished in the New Testament to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Jesus revealed to the disciples a story showing how they ought to consistently pray and not lose heart.

This anecdote included a widow who kept going to a judge to request restitution against her foe. The judge was neither genuine nor mindful, however, he became burnt out on the widow's constant requesting for justice, so he conceded to her solicitation.

“And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?’” (Luke 18:7).

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord (Psalm 27:14).

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; (Psalm 34:15).

The Bible does not record any strict occasions in David's day-to-day existence, for example, being caught in a pit. This is just poetry depicting how profoundly frantic was David's predicament.

David's warlike life was brimming with brushes with death, some of which were miserable to such an extent that they resembled being in a rubbish pit or a foul bog.

We can almost envision being deserted in a huge opening in the ground that was loading up with water, mud, and ooze.

In such a dilemma it is difficult to obtain traction, however, the Lord came down to David, addressed his weeping for help, and pulled him to security.

David says the Lord set his feet on a stone and made his means secure. The symbolism demonstrates that the Lord protected David from his foes and gave security to him.

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock (Psalm 27:5).

Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me (Psalm 69:1-2).

Do We Ever Feel Like We Are in Deep Despair?

David was so euphoric and appreciative about God's redemption of him from his adversaries that he lifted his voice in a melody of praise to the Lord.

He imparted this recognition to his comrades with the goal that they would love the Lord and have faith and trust in Him.

This veneration or reverence is the importance of the expression of fear in sections like this. He was being a witness by telling them what God had done for him.

When God rescues sinners from sin, He pulls them out of a miry pit (Psalm 40:2). The people who cry to the Lord for salvation and accept Jesus as their Savior are safeguarded. God gives them a new life (Ephesians 2:4-10; 1 John 3:14).

2 Corinthians 5:17 proclaims that any individual who is in Christ is a new creation. The Lord not only saves them from the pit of wrongdoing yet additionally sets up their walk and provides them guidance through life.

Saul of Tarsus discovered absolution and a new life in Christ (Acts 9). He affirmed in 1 Timothy 1:15-16 that Christ Jesus came down to earth to save sinners, of whom he said he was the premier. He obtained mercy for Christ to use him as an example of patience to other believers.

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance (Psalm 32:7).

All people will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done (Psalm 64:9).

Scripture pronounces that happiness is when we trust and obey God’s Word (Proverbs 1:7; Psalm 37:5-9). Tribulations and trials will come, even to those who honor God (John 16:33), however, those who love the Lord are ensured triumph (Romans 8:28-30).

David had learned in the wild to depend on the Lord for security, and he was not disillusioned. His confidence, faith, and trust in God brought him extraordinary joy.

What Does This Mean?

The individual who places his or her confidence and faith in the Lord does not accept advice from worldly individuals.

Nor does that person emulate the individuals who follow foolishness, false thoughts, or lies (1 Corinthians 2:12; Romans 12:1-2; Proverbs 5:22-23).

Often, we function as if we can manage everything, but then we finally realize that we cannot. Then that is when we call upon God. Waiting periods are necessary and it may be difficult. But the answer and the blessing will come in His time. 

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes (Psalm 37:7).

Hope in the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it (Psalms 37:34).

“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you (Psalms 39:7).

Waiting on God is our call to action. Doing the will of the Lord means that sometimes we are to be standing by quietly. And while we pause, we are to worship and love the Lord. We are to serve others as we tell the world about God.

For further reading:

Will Praising God Help Us While We Wait?

What Does it Mean to Wait on the Lord?

How Do I Know When God Is Calling Me to Wait?

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/BartekSzewczyk

Chris Swanson answered the call into the ministry over 20 years ago. He has served as a Sunday School teacher, a youth director along with his wife, a music director, an associate pastor, and an interim pastor. He is a retired Navy Chief Hospital Corpsman with over 30 years of combined active and reserve service. You can contact Chris here, and check out his work here.

This article originally appeared on Christianity.com. For more faith-building resources, visit Christianity.com.