WAITING ON THE LORD: A Demonstration of Faith and Trust
Tobi Michael
September 13, 2025
Waiting on the Lord is one of the greatest demonstrations of faith and trust in God. David, the man after God’s heart, is a classic example. Despite his anointing as king, he went through many trials—rejection, persecution from Saul, betrayal by close allies, rebellion from his son Absalom, and the pain of repeated battles. Yet, David testified, “I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry” (Psalm 40:1).
What Does Waiting on God Mean?
To wait on God does not mean inactivity; it means trusting His timing, resting in His promises, and refusing to take matters into your own hands. David could have killed Saul in the cave (1 Samuel 24:3–7) but chose to wait for God’s appointed time. This patience was not weakness but confidence that God’s plan was better.
Examples of Waiting on God in the Bible
– Job: Waited in pain and loss, but God restored him with double (Job 42:10).
– Abraham: Waited 25 years for Isaac, proving that “faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12).
– Simeon and Anna: Waited for the Messiah all their lives, and their eyes finally saw the salvation of Israel (Luke 2:25–38).
Requirements of Waiting on God
Waiting requires:
– Endurance: “Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40:31).
– Trust: “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).
– Hope: “The vision is yet for an appointed time… though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come” (Habakkuk 2:3).
How to Strengthen Waiting on God
– Pray for patience: Ask the Lord to deliver you from impatience and the temptation to take matters into your own hands.
– Recall God’s past faithfulness: Like David in psalms looked back to God’s deliverances and sang, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” (Psalm 103:2).
– Trust in God’s ability: Paul declared with confidence, “I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Timothy 1:12).
Conclusion
As believers, no matter the depth of your trial, waiting on God pays. It may be a delay in marriage, a breakthrough, healing, provision, or guidance. Instead of anxiety, turn it into worship. As you praise Him for what He has done before, your faith will rise for what He will yet do. God never changes (Hebrews 13:8), never lies (Numbers 23:19), and never fails those who trust Him.
The Connection Between Sacred Waiting and Waiting on the Lord
Sacred waiting and waiting on the Lord are interconnected concepts that emphasize the importance of trusting in God’s timing, plan, and sovereignty in the life of a believer. Both concepts highlight the spiritual discipline of waiting with faith, hope, and trust in God’s goodness and faithfulness.
Understanding Sacred Waiting
Sacred waiting involves intentionally pausing and trusting in God’s timing and plan. It’s a spiritual practice that acknowledges God’s sovereignty over all aspects of life. In sacred waiting, believers seek to align their hearts with God’s will, trusting in His perfect timing and plan.
Understanding Waiting on the Lord
Waiting on the Lord, as seen in biblical teachings, involves trusting in God’s timing, seeking His guidance, and relying on His strength. It’s an act of faith that recognizes God’s control over all circumstances. Waiting on the Lord is often associated with renewing strength, finding hope, and experiencing God’s guidance and peace (Isaiah 40:31).
Connection Between Sacred Waiting and Waiting on the Lord
– Trust in God’s Timing: Both sacred waiting and waiting on the Lord emphasize trusting in God’s timing rather than one’s own. This trust is foundational to both concepts.
– Faith and Patience: Both involve faith and patience, recognizing that God’s plans are often different from human expectations and timing.
– Spiritual Growth: Both can lead to spiritual growth, deeper trust in God, and a greater sense of peace and hope in God’s plan.
Biblical Basis
The Bible encourages waiting on the Lord in various passages, promising renewal of strength (Isaiah 40:31), guidance (Psalm 25:5), and deliverance (Psalm 40:1). Sacred waiting, in the context of waiting on the Lord, is a way of living out trust in God’s sovereignty and plan.
Practical Application
In practical terms, sacred waiting and waiting on the Lord involve:
– Prayer and Seeking God: Actively seeking God’s guidance and will in times of waiting.
– Trusting God’s Plan: Trusting that God’s plan is better and that His timing is perfect.
– Cultivating Patience: Practicing patience as a spiritual discipline, trusting in God’s sovereignty.
The Confluence of Sacred Waiting and Waiting on the Lord within the Sovereignty of the Lord
In the life of a believer, sacred waiting and waiting on the Lord find a profound confluence within the sovereignty of the Lord. The sovereignty of God—His supreme authority, control, and plan over all things—shapes and gives meaning to both sacred waiting and waiting on the Lord. Understanding this confluence brings depth to a believer’s trust in God, fostering a life marked by faith, patience, and alignment with God’s will.
## Sovereignty of the Lord: The Foundation
The sovereignty of the Lord is the overarching truth that God is in control of all things. He works all things according to His purpose (Romans 8:28, Ephesians 1:11). This sovereignty assures believers that God’s plans are perfect and that He is trustworthy in all His ways.
Confluence of Sacred Waiting and Waiting on the Lord
– Alignment with God’s Sovereign Plan: Both sacred waiting and waiting on the Lord involve aligning oneself with God’s sovereign plan. Believers trust that God’s timing and ways are higher than theirs (Isaiah 55:8-9).
– Trust in God’s Control: In sacred waiting and waiting on the Lord, believers exercise trust in God’s control over circumstances, outcomes, and timing. This trust is rooted in God’s sovereignty.
– Patience and Faith in Sovereignty: The sovereignty of God encourages patience and faith in waiting. Knowing God is sovereign brings confidence that He is working all things for good (Romans 8:28).
Expressions in the Life of a Believer
In the life of a believer, this confluence manifests in:
– Trusting God’s Timing: Believers trust that God’s timing is perfect, even when it differs from their own desires or expectations.
– Seeking God’s Guidance: Waiting on the Lord involves seeking His guidance and will, acknowledging His sovereignty in decisions and paths.
– Peace in Uncertainty: The sovereignty of God brings peace in uncertainty. Believers find peace knowing God is in control (Philippians 4:7).
Biblical Examples and Teachings
– Joseph’s Story: Joseph’s life shows God’s sovereignty in waiting. Joseph waited through trials, but God’s sovereign plan led to redemption and a position of influence (Genesis 50:20).
– Psalm 37:7: “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” This reflects waiting on the Lord within His sovereignty.
Outcome of This Confluence
The confluence of sacred waiting and waiting on the Lord within God’s sovereignty leads to:
– Deeper Trust: A deeper trust in God’s plan and timing.
– Greater Peace: Peace that comes from knowing God is sovereign.
– Alignment with God’s Will: Greater alignment with God’s will as believers wait on Him.
Concluding Remarks: Waiting on the Lord and Sufficiency in the Lord
In conclusion, waiting on the Lord is a profound expression of trust in God’s sovereignty, timing, and plan. It involves prioritizing a mindset of finding sufficiency in the Lord amidst life’s circumstances, challenges, and waitings. When believers wait on the Lord, they are reminded that their sufficiency comes from God (2 Corinthians 3:5), and His resources, strength, and wisdom are more than enough for every situation.
Prioritizing Sufficiency in the Lord
Prioritizing living with a mindset of finding sufficiency in the Lord means:
– Trusting God’s Provision: Trusting that God provides what is needed in His timing.
– Relying on God’s Strength: Relying on God’s strength in weakness and waiting.
– Finding Contentment in God: Finding contentment and peace in God’s sufficiency, regardless of circumstances.
Outcome of Prioritizing Sufficiency in the Lord
This mindset leads to:
– Deeper Dependence on God: A deeper dependence on God and trust in His sufficiency.
– Greater Peace and Contentment: Greater peace and contentment in God’s provision and timing.
– Alignment with God’s Purposes: Alignment with God’s purposes as believers wait on Him and trust in His sufficiency.
Final Thought
In waiting on the Lord and prioritizing sufficiency in Him, believers find a pathway to deeper faith, trust, and experience of God’s goodness. As Scripture says, “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
Tobi Michael is a seasoned marketing executive who serves as the Social Media & Content Manager for GIVA Ministries International. A proud alumnus of the University of Ilorin with a degree in Physics, Tobi currently resides in Lagos, where he leverages his expertise to drive impactful content and social media strategies for the ministry.
