Resting in God – Waiting on God
In a society that is filled with seeking better and faster ways of getting things done, it is difficult to quiet our hearts, minds and spirit to rest in God’s perfect wisdom, plan and timing for our lives. Especially in a country that expects everything to be done in an instant. We have been taught and cultivated to react and to respond to every situation immediately. Waiting is perceived by many as doing nothing, a waste of time, being weak because nothing ever happens when you wait, but this is not so.
Psalm 27: 13-14 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! NKJV
God’s kingdom way tells us to not lose heart but believe we will see the goodness of the Lord while we are still on this earth. God’s blessing is not just for when we get to heaven in the sweet by and by. God tells us to decide to be in good spirits, to be determined and steadfast in our trust in God to strengthen our hearts. We are to be persistent with resolve because God will settle the matter. He will give power and strength to those who are looked on as weak, because they trust and wait on God to direct their steps.
Isaiah 40:28-31 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, 31 but those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. NKJV
Habakkuk 2:2 I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guard post. There I will wait to see what the Lord says and how he will answer my complaint NLT
The world will tell us to take action to do something or we will look pathetic. This is where we display the principles and power of the kingdom of God in the earth. When we respond according to God’s word we reflect God’s kingdom principles and not this world’s system. It is difficult for most people to understand or commit to God’s ways because they have been taught the lie of the enemy and have lived this lie all their lives. It takes a change in heart and mind to stand on the word of God. This only comes through renewing our minds to think as God thinks by reading His word, and then our hearts will follow.
Meekness is strength under control. Most people when they see meekness they think the person is feeble in not reacting in the way the world expects them to react. True meekness is to make a deliberate decision to take a different action or no action at all because of our faith in the word of God. We can only display the kingdom of God if we know how it operates. Most people who call themselves Christians or believers of Christ do not know Jesus or what He has said about the kingdom they now live in on this earth. They think they must wait until they go to heaven before they will have the peace and favour of God in their lives.
Psalm 37:7- 11 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth. 10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his place, But it shall be no more. 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. NKJV
To be an overcomer is not necessarily getting what we have been praying for, asking and seeking God for. Neither is it seeing vengeance on those who have wronged us. It is having the peace in knowing God is faithful and He is directing our steps for His glory in the earth. It is a mindset that is at peace in whatever situation it may find itself in. Christ on the cross brought glory to God in the earth. His glory and how we reflect His love may not always look like what we want or expect. It is knowing the love God has for us and that He chose us to show His mercy and grace to this world. This love gives us the tenacity to rest and patiently wait for God to do His perfect work in us. It is the love of God in us that keeps us at peace with ourselves and others. This is when we rest in God and wait on His direction.
Isaiah 30:18 Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him. NKJV
It is when we reflect the character and attributes of God in the earth that we reflect God’s glory. It is a sad testimony when those who call themselves children of God act like the children of the world. Those who know their God will do exploits and great things that the ordinary person may not understand or comprehend because it displays the power of God in us. The peace God gives to us surpasses natural understanding, as we wait with full assurance that God will settle the matter.
Micah 7:7 Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me. NKJV
Psalm 39:7 “And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You. NKJV
Integrity- People of God 