WAIT ON THE LORD (I)

Texts: Psalm 130:5-6 and selected texts

Modern technology has brought much convenience to our lives. Information is
available at the tip of our fingers via the Internet which can be accessed on our
computers and mobile phones. Entertainment is readily available on the
television. Food can be easily obtained from food courts and fast food
restaurants. This results in an “instant noodle” culture, where we expect instant
gratification. When that does not happen, we murmur and complain. We do not
like to wait.

Waiting is not something that comes natural to man. Man likes to solve things by
his own strength. When he waits, it is an admission of weakness that there are
circumstances that are out of his control. Yet man in his own pride will like to
convince himself that he has full control of every nook and cranny in his life. “I
am the master of my life? Why do I need to wait?”

Nevertheless, despite the advancement of technology, waiting is still part of our
life. And it can be a heart wrenching experience, especially when things are so
challenging that you feel boxed in. Perhaps you have been out of job, and have
been searching for months, but there is no opening for you. Or you may be
persecuted by enemies, and yet there is no relief from trouble. Or you may be
stricken with an illness that does not seem to go away. Or you may seeking a life
partner for years, and yet there is none that seem suitable. Life indeed is full of
waiting.

The Bible is replete with exhortations that Christians should “wait” upon the
Lord. Among the multitude of exhortations is Psalm 27:14 which says, “Wait on
the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I
say, on the LORD.” There is also the promise in Isaiah 40:31 which says, “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.” The Christian is commanded to wait.

Nevertheless, many find it challenging to wait upon the Lord. Why is that so?
Because as men, we are so prone to pursuing our own schemes and to convince
ourselves that we have control over our lives. Thus, we become fearful and
fidgety when there are seemingly no answers and solutions in our predicament.
Due to our lack of faith, we fail to see that our lives are in God’s hands, and He
is the one whom we must turn to for help and guidance. We do not want to
acknowledge that without God we can do nothing.

What is Biblical Waiting?

Firstly, we have to understand that waiting involves patience, and patience
involves the element of time. In Psalm 130:6, the Psalmist says, “My soul
waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more
than they that watch for the morning.” The morning will certainly come, but
that involves patient waiting through the hours of night. This flies against the
culture of rapid gratification of our times. We are not prepared for time to pass
before God reveals His answer, but that is exactly what God demands as an
expression of our faith in Him.

Secondly, waiting involves seeking the Lord. Lamentations 3:25 – “The LORD
is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. Thus
Biblical waiting is not passive but active. The common use of the term “wait”
seems to denote inactivity. However, that is not the case for Biblical waiting. A
person who waits spends much time seeking the Lord in His Word and prayer.
Thus, Psalm 130:5 says, “I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his
word do I hope.” A waiting Christian will study God’s Word and to rest his hope
on the promises of God. He will also spend much time praying, just like how the
Psalmist waited upon the Lord in prayer. This will culminate in a life of faithful
service as he waits for the return of the Messiah. “Occupy till I come” (Luke
19:13) is the command of our Saviour. Thus, a waiting Christian must serve till
Christ returns that we may give a good account unto our Master.

Thirdly, waiting involves doing that which is right. Psalm 37:34 says, “Wait on
the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when
the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.” When wicked men persecute the
waiting Christian, he will not retaliate in kind but to trust in the Lord for
deliverance. He will continue walking the way of righteousness in opposition to
the evil around him. Thus Psalm 25:21 adds, “Let integrity and uprightness
preserve me; for I wait on thee.” The waiting Christian must walk in holiness.

Lastly, the waiting involves a joyful expectation. The Christian’s wait is based
upon the knowledge and trust in God’s Word. He knows who God is and he
places his trust in Him. It is not a leap into the unknown but it is anchored in a
certain hope. We know where we are going, and thus have a quiet confidence in
the Lord as we journey on the earth. We are looking forward to Christ’s coming,
because we know that is the consummation of our salvation.

Are you waiting earnestly for our Lord?

(To be continued)

Yours affectionately,
Pastor Clement Chew

We shall not grow weary of waiting upon God if we remember how
long and how graciously He once waited for us.
(Charles Spurgeon)