Wait for it…

I find myself waiting a lot.

A few weeks ago, I was in Lynchburg, VA for a class. My flight was scheduled to leave Roanoke at 8 pm. We boarded the plane, but ended up waiting 1 1/2 hours on the runway before they decided to cancel the flight. The next day I waited on standby so I could get home.

Yesterday, we went out to eat after church. We sat down immediately, but waited for one hour before we received our meal.

If you have read my blog before, you know that we are planning on moving and working in the city. But guess what? We are waiting for our house to sell.

Waiting in traffic.
Waiting for meetings to start.
Waiting for the page to load.
Waiting.

Here’s what the Scriptures say about waiting:

• The Psalmist said,
  • In the morning I lay my requests before [the LORD] and wait in expectation (Psalm 5:3).
  • Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD (Psalm 27:4).
  • We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield (Psalm 33:20).
  • Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him (Psalm 37:7).
  • Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it (Psalm 37:34).
  • I wait for you, O LORD; you will answer, O Lord our God (Psalm 38:15).
  • I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry (Psalm 40:1).
  • I wait for your salvation, O LORD, and I follow your commands (Psalm 119:166).
• Isaiah said, “The LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who wait for him!” (Isaiah 30:18).
• Jeremiah said, “The LORD is my portion; therefore, I will wait on him” (Lamentations 3:24), and “it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD (Lamentations 3:26).
• Micah said, “But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me” (Micah 7:7).

The entire Old Testament is full of people who were waiting on God. Waiting for what? I imagine they were waiting for the Messiah, because once Jesus came, there is no mention of anyone waiting on God. And then, after Jesus returned to heaven, we were again told to wait, but this time we were told to wait for his return (1 Thessalonians 1:10; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:28; James 5:7; Jude 1:21).

The bottom line is that we are expected to wait patiently for God. And here’s the application: whether you are waiting for your food at the restaurant or for your house to sell, you should wait. Because waiting is a part of our journey. And wait patiently.