When you open your hand, they are filled with good things.(Psalm 104:28)

If once our eyes are opened to the precious truth that the whole creation is ruled by the unalterable law of waiting upon God, all Nature will become a preacher, reminding us of the relationship which, founded in creation, is now taken in grace.

As we read Psalm 104 and learn to look upon all life in Nature as continually maintained by God Himself, waiting on God will be seen to be the very necessity of our being. As we think of the young lions and the ravens crying to Him, of the birds and the fishes and every insect waiting on Him till He gives them their meat in due season, we shall see that it is the very nature and glory of God that He is a God who is to be waited on. Every thought of what Nature is, and what God is, will give new force to the call: “Wait thou only upon God”(Psalm 62:5).

It is God who give the all: let this faith enter deeply into our hearts. Before we fully understand all that is implied in our waiting upon God, and before we have even been able to cultivate the habit, let the truth enter our souls: waiting on God, unceasing and entire dependence upon Him, is the only true religion in heaven and earth, the one unalterable and all-comprehensive expression for the true relationship to the ever-blessed one in whom we live.

Let us resolve at once that it shall be the one characteristic of our life and worship, a continual, humble, truthful waiting upon God. We may rest assured that He who made us for Himself, that He might give Himself to us and in us, that He will never disappoint us. In waiting on Him we shall find rest and joy and strength, and the supply of every need.

Andrew Murray

Hurry up and wait is an old military phrase. Preparation to move often comes a long time from the actual move and yet being ready to move is just as important as the move. For most of us waiting is one of the most difficult things we do. Have you noticed that when you’re waiting that time seems to almost stand still? If you’ve ever gone shopping with a shopaholic you’ve probably had that experience. If you’re the one shopping it seems to be just seconds but if you’re the one waiting it feels like days. In the same way, waiting on God is a struggle. Like the child who has made their need known, we expect an immediate answer. Many times we say to God, “Are we there yet? Can I have it now?” If you’re like me I usually want things done yesterday which often moves me to get ahead of God. A great part of trusting God is waiting on Him. I realize that there are many who are frustrated with life right now due to the coronavirus restrictions. “When”, they ask, “will life get back to normal? When can we go to a restaurant and sit down to eat? When can we sit on our pew again? When, when when.”

I’d like to offer another way. We can be like the children who miss the wonders of the journey because they’re focused only on the destination. We can pace the floor waiting for the service person to make an appearance. We can count the seconds while we’re waiting for our shopaholic to come out of the store. We can focus solely on the time and waste it trying to make everything conform to our schedule or we can use that time for productive things. I offer a few ideas. While we’re waiting to arrive at our destination, what if we choose to enjoy the scenery and the company of our traveling companions, getting to know each other better? What if we focus more on our surroundings than our frustrations and perhaps see God in all of it and in a new and deeper way. Remember He says that He is always with us. What if while we’re waiting on that service person, instead of clock watching and getting angry over wasted time, we took the time to read God’s Word. After all, we can’t go anywhere or get anything else done while we’re waiting. What if instead of being annoyed with the amount of time our shopaholic is spending shopping, we give thanks to God for the provision that allows that and we see our waiting as a gift to them? Maybe a good use of that time might be praying. What a great way to spend waiting time, talking with our Heavenly Father.

What if, instead of focusing on when the church can return to normal routine, we use this time to tap into the creativity of God and perhaps discover new and creative ways to continue doing the work of Jesus. During this time of waiting, let us remember that God is not idle and He is not limited by circumstances.

One of the dangers we face when waiting is to allow our frustrations to move us to make rash decisions. Hurry can place us in predicaments. Two quick stories from the Bible. King Saul who was preparing for battle and waiting on Samuel to offer the sacrifice, became impatient and offered it himself. Though he was king, this was not something he was qualified to do. Later after being given specific instructions, he chose his own way and it cost him not only the kingdom but his relationship with God.

At another time, Elijah visited the king of Israel and instructed him to strike the arrows on the floor. That king who was in a hurry and thought it was a waste of time stopped at 3 times. Elijah informed him that he would only succeed in battle 3 times and that he should have kept striking the arrows.

What’s our lesson? Let us learn to wait on God and while we’re waiting let us find useful productive things to occupy that time.

Dr. John Thompson