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. –Isaiah 40:31
I was meditating on this scripture one day and the Holy Spirit showed me that the word “wait” can have two meanings: “wait” in the sense of being patient and giving something time or “wait” in the sense of serving like how a waiter or waitress would serve you food at a restaurant. We should wait on the Lord because His timing is perfect and we should wait on him because it is our job to serve him.
To wait on the Lord, you will need to learn patience. Now, if you’re like me, patience is a fruit of the spirit that you must constantly, consciously work on. Keep working on it because being patient strengths your faith. The Bible says in James 1:2-3 “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” I love how these verses show us that patience and faith have to work hand in hand to be effective. Waiting on the Lord strengthens our faith which in turn increases our patience. You will need both to keep pressing forward in God’s will without getting weary.
Waiting came seem like an idle task where all you’re doing is twiddling your thumbs while the days go by. This is not so with God because there is so much we could be doing for Him while we wait. When you go out to eat at a restaurant you expect your waiter to greet you, take your order, bring your food out in a timely manner and check on you throughout your meal to ensure that you have everything you need to enjoy your food and experience. We should treat God the same way talking to Him all time and communicating through prayer, obeying his instructions, reading His Word and walking in love. Psalm 100:2 tells us to “Serve the Lord with gladness.” Gladness. Not bitterness, not unforgiveness, not worry or frustration, but with gladness. You want your waiter to have a good attitude while they serve you, right? Same idea applies when you’re serving the Lord.
So, if you are waiting on the Lord for something (or maybe someone) and you feel like nothing is happening, I encourage you to refocus your heart and mind. Don’t get bitter or start worrying about what isn’t happening, instead concern yourself with what God has asked you to do and how you can please Him right now. “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord” (Psalm 27:14). If you just wait on Him he will give you the grace to run and not be weary and to walk and not faint. So, while you wait, wait on the Lord. And while you wait on the Lord, wait. You will be flying before you know it.