Waiting for God to answer our prayers can be incredibly difficult, especially when we pray for the salvation of loved ones, a change in our circumstances, or relief from life’s burdens. When the answer doesn’t come in our timing, discouragement can creep in. But God’s Word offers us hope and reassurance that He is at work even when we can’t see it. Let’s explore what it means to wait on the Lord and how we can renew our strength during these times of waiting.
1. The Call to Wait in Faith
Scripture repeatedly encourages us to wait on the Lord, not in passive idleness but with active faith and trust in His promises. One of the most powerful reminders of this comes from Isaiah 40:31 (NIV):
"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Abraham’s story is a perfect illustration of this principle. As Hebrews 11:8-10 (NIV) explains, Abraham followed God’s call and waited for the fulfillment of God’s promise to give him a son, even though it took 25 years. Despite the long wait, Abraham’s faith was strengthened as he trusted in God’s timing, and he became the father of nations.
Just as Abraham waited, we are encouraged to wait with hope, knowing that God will renew our strength in the process.
2. God’s Perfect Timing
God’s timing is perfect, even when it feels like delays are happening. Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV) reminds us:
"He has made everything beautiful in its time."
This is powerfully demonstrated in the life of Joseph. He endured betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment for years before seeing the fulfillment of God’s promise. Hebrews 11:22 (NIV) points to Joseph’s faith even as he waited for God’s plan to unfold. Though it seemed like God’s promise was delayed, Joseph’s faith never wavered, and God’s perfect timing allowed him to save his family and a nation.
Similarly, Habakkuk 2:3 (NIV) reassures us:
"For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay."
God is never late. Like Joseph, we may not understand His timing, but we can trust that He is working for our good behind the scenes.
3. Waiting as a Time for Growth and Trust
Waiting often serves as a period of preparation and spiritual growth. Lamentations 3:25-26 (NIV) tells us:
"The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."
Moses’ story is a powerful reminder of this. After fleeing Egypt, he spent 40 years in the desert waiting for God’s call. Hebrews 11:24-26 (NIV) describes how Moses chose to endure suffering with God’s people rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin, trusting that God had a greater purpose for him. The waiting wasn’t wasted—God was preparing Moses for a monumental mission.
In our own waiting, God often uses these seasons to deepen our faith and trust in Him, refining our character for His purposes.
4. Keep Praying and Trusting Without Growing Weary
We are called to persist in prayer and faith, even when we don’t see immediate results. Galatians 6:9 (NIV) reminds us:
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Sarah, Abraham’s wife, knew what it was like to wait. She longed for a child and endured years of barrenness. Though her faith wavered at times, Hebrews 11:11 (NIV) tells us:
"And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise."
Though waiting can be filled with doubt, God remains faithful. Sarah’s story encourages us to keep praying and trusting without giving up, because God’s promises will be fulfilled.
Luke 18:1 (NIV) also encourages us to persist in prayer, with Jesus telling His disciples:
"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."
5. Finding Hope in God’s Faithfulness
Even when waiting seems long, we can hold fast to the truth that God is faithful. Psalm 27:13-14 (NIV) beautifully declares:
"I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
The heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 also teach us this truth. Many of them never saw the full realization of God’s promises during their lifetime, yet they lived by faith. Hebrews 11:13 (NIV) says:
"All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance."
Their faith in God’s promises, even when fulfillment seemed far off, encourages us to remain hopeful. We too can trust that God’s goodness and faithfulness will be revealed, even if we don’t see it immediately.
Conclusion: Waiting on the Lord is never easy, but it is an opportunity to deepen our faith and experience God's strength. As we trust in His timing, we find that He renews our hope, builds our endurance, and draws us closer to Him. Even when answers seem distant, God is near, working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).
Just as Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and Sarah waited in faith, we too are called to trust God’s timing. Let’s take heart, stand firm, and wait for the Lord with confidence that He will fulfill His promises at just the right time.