ByOne time, I was walking with a friend in the Lord. We were both hungry. So we decided to lodge over a food joint to get some food to eat. As soon as we got to our preferred place, we met an unexpected long queue. That discouraged me because I was too hungry to stay in that queue till it reached our turn. So I, with my friend, decided to leave the place and buy the food somewhere else.
Fortunately, there was no queue at the new food joint. When it was time for us to eat the food, we realized that the taste of the food was not to our best liking. We were too hungry that we did not care where to get any food to eat. We settled for the quick-access one than the long-but-quality food joint.
Like this incident, many Christians do not like hearing these three words: “wait on God.” Why? Because many of us want things so fast that as long as the resources are there, waiting on God for His perfect timing becomes difficult. If there is no power and benefit in waiting on the Lord, He wouldn’t have recommended it for any of His children trusting Him for something futuristic.
Isaiah 40:31 (KJV) 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.
It’s in waiting on God that the child of God develops renewal in spiritual strength for mighty kingdom exploits. So we run the race of faith in Christ by waiting, not by numerous ministry activities.
In this article, I’d like to share four Biblical principles to follow when you’re waiting on God.
1. Develop a more intimate relationship with God
The primary reason why God sometimes instructs us to wait upon Him, especially in the matters of divine purpose fulfilment, is to know Him better. That helps us build spiritual capacity for the journey ahead of us.
To every “rise and build,” there is a “rise and attack.” There are both natural and spiritual forces coming up against where God is taking you. When you wait upon the Lord by developing intimacy with Him through fellowship with Jesus, you will gain spiritual mastery over whatever issue may come your way in your walk with the Lord.
To every “rise and build,” there is a “rise and attack.”
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Our divine calling is always greater than how much our human capacity can take. It is about the people we are called to impact.
Imagine a teenager like David anointed by the prophet Samuel as king over the whole of Israel. At that age, if God allowed Him to mount the throne, He wouldn’t have gone far with the Lord as he did. He was with the Lord, even in the bush, as he took care of his father’s sheep. After being anointed as king and persecuted by Saul, he continued growing in his intimacy with God.
David’s life is an example that God will take anyone He calls far, as long as that person remains in constant fellowship with Him.
2. Serve diligently at where you are
The fact that God has something great ahead of us does not mean we should neglect the services we render to all kinds of people now. Nobody starts his (or her) journey with God with everything at its peak. You may have a dream of setting up a new ministry or business. Do not forget that you must be faithful wherever you are if you want others to be faithful unto you when you set up what God has told you to do. Never break this principle of faithfulness and expect it to be well with you.
See what Jesus said in Luke 16:12 (KJV)
And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?
Think about Joseph. He knew he had received a promise from God that one day, his whole family would bow before him. He was a slave in Potiphar’s house in a foreign land called Egypt. Joseph was the only Hebrew in that house at that time. He probably came to meet other senior servants. But according to the Bible, his services rendered in the Potiphar’s house were so diligent, prosperous, and faithful that it got to a point where Potiphar didn’t even concern himself with whatever happened in his house except for the food he ate (Genesis 39:6). Know that your diligent service unnoticeably earns the trust of those you serve under no matter where you are.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NKJV) says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.”
Your diligent service unnoticeably earns the trust of those you serve under no matter where you are.
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You may not like where you are now, but God hasn’t forgotten about you. He will fulfil His promises concerning your life. Don’t give up on Him. People may hate you or take notice of you (because of your diligent and faithful service) to do you harm, but always remember not to let go of your commitment to God. Guard it and protect it with all jealously. It shall end well with you.
3. Don’t forget the promise of God upon your life
It’s a dangerous thing to forget the promise God has made in your life. When forgetfulness happens, you’ll get lost in the direction of God for your life. Understand that God’s promise is your destination, and a journey without a destination lacks direction in focus.
No matter what you do, God’s promises, when spoken or revealed to you, will highly contradict your current state in the present. If you know that you don’t have the funds and resources to do great things for the Lord, it’s better to document the promise and ideas that come into your mind from God. After that, place it at a place in your room where you’ll never forget to see and read periodically. Also, make it updatable because as you walk with God, He’ll keep showing you a clearer picture of where He’s taking you. When you do this, it will help you get constantly reminded of where God is taking you in life. Furthermore, you will be able to channel your prayers and energies for work in that direction of life.
Just in case you don’t know God’s promises and purpose for your life, study the Bible and diligently seek the Lord with all your heart.
A journey without a destination lacks direction in focus.
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4. Listen to the right voices
The voices you listen to in your waiting period are essential. While some people inspire you to keep pressing on, others also get exploited by the devil (sometimes unknowingly) to suggest things that will take you off God’s perfect track for your life. You must learn to discern God’s voice.
It was God Himself that promised Abraham that he’d be the father of all nations. Yet he was without a child for many years. As Abraham was waiting on the Lord for the manifestation of this promise, he listened to a wrong voice through his own wife. Instead of standing fast on what God has promised him, he listened to Sarai’s suggestion to lie with Hagar, her maid (Genesis 16:2). That led to the birth of Ishmael, and till today, its effect against Christianity is evident. Even though God allowed Ishmael to live, Abraham would have prevented this from happening by holding fast to God’s promises.
Beware of people who love you too much to suggest only good things to you. What they tell you may seem reasonable. However, if you follow your love and care for them too much, you can be led astray. That reminds me of how Jesus said, “Get thee behind me, Satan” in front of Peter when he (Peter), out of compassion, rebuked Him (Jesus) on God’s intention of dying for the whole sin of the world – (Matthew 16:23).
Understand that no human being knows everything God wants you to do unless you tell them. Hence, they cannot be right in their suggestions at all times. The scripture says in Proverbs 16:25 (NKJV) that:
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
Not everything that physically or mentally seems good is actually a good choice to make. Some are even satanic traps in disguise.
God can speak to you through His Holy Spirit or other people. However, take heed to the voice you choose to listen to. Learn to discern the voice of God for yourself.
It might be hard to wait on God, but it’s worthy for your preparation of what He has ahead of you.
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