Waiting on God
by Annie Yorty ©2022
Raise your hand if you like to wait. If your just hand shot up, you’re probably part of a miniscule minority. If we’re being honest, most of us prefer instant gratification over waiting any day. How does waiting on God change our need for immediate results?
What’s wrong with instant gratification?
We feel satisfied when we get what we want right away. Or do we?
Anyone who has tried this tactic with children knows how it turns out. You end up with a perpetually dissatisfied, spoiled child. Indulged kids start to think the world revolves around them. The more they get what they want, the more they demand.
The pages of the Bible are littered with the sins of people who couldn’t seem to wait on God.
The Example of Sarah
Consider, for example, Sarah, also known as Sarai. God had promised numerous descendants to her husband Abraham, yet Sarah was barren and past child-bearing age. For a while, the couple waited on God for the deeply desired child. But nothing happened.
Sarah grew frustrated and took matters into her own hands. She hatched a plan to produce a child through a surrogate named Hagar. Abraham followed Sarah’s lead and slept with the household maid. Hagar bore a child, but the child failed to satisfy Sarah’s longing or God’s plan (Genesis 16).
We have a hard time imagining doing something as extreme as Sarah’s manipulation. But I wonder how often we’ve tried to do an end run around God’s plan because we couldn’t, or wouldn’t, wait.
How often have we tried to do an end run around God’s plan because we couldn’t, or wouldn’t, wait? Click To TweetSarah’s manipulation caused huge rifts in relationships that have reverberated down through millennia. As God explained at the time, Abraham’s illegitimate son and the one Sarah later birthed would both produce nations that would battle one another in perpetuity. Today we see this fight still going strong in the Middle East.
A Bible Promise about Waiting on God
Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. (Isaiah 40:31 NASB)
The Object of Our Waiting
Long ago and far away when I was in Civil Air Patrol, my platoon would form up on the parade grounds, waiting and standing at attention to honor a dignitary who had not yet shown up. Maintaining decorum—staying still and alert—could be excruciating, especially on a hot summer day. We all found ourselves listing to the left or right as our bodies wearied.
We often start leaning while we wait for our desires.
Which way, and toward what, should we lean?
Waiting implies we’re anticipating some object or event, hoping the Lord will produce something we want. We lean toward that desire, putting it in the bullseye of our mind as we narrow our focus to aim the tip of our efforts toward the red dot. Everything in the periphery blurs. That’s how we achieve what we want, right?
Unfortunately, we run into problems when we aim for any earthly thing. Human hearts are fickle. Our desires change as emotions and reasoning fluctuate. The target keeps moving.
What if we leaned in another direction? Instead of inclining our hearts toward the object, we could make God the object of our desire. His character, purposes, and promises never change.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 NLT)
Waiting on God means you’re aiming at a fixed target. You stand a much better chance of being satisfied when you wait on God rather than a particular outcome. In fact, you’re guaranteed satisfaction.
You stand a much better chance of being satisfied when you wait on God rather than a particular outcome. Click To TweetWhat does waiting on God look like?
Let’s look at a few verses and do the math.
When the Lord is the object of your waiting—when He is your heart’s desire—you will always find renewed strength and satisfaction. Yes, you feel satisfaction even if the object or event you hoped for never materializes because you accept that God’s plans are best. You’re never missing out on something better when your desires align with His.
One final thought about waiting on God
The Bible tells us we can all eagerly wait for a particular event, or rather a particular Person. God wants us to aim our hearts toward the blessed second coming of Jesus when all will behold and bow to His power and glory.
But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: a day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. (2 Peter 3:8-9 NLT)
I long for Christ’s return. I want it now. Maybe you feel the pull of eternity too.
Let’s encourage each other to do the math of waiting and make God the sole aim of our desires.
Join the conversation:
How do you turn your focus from the object you want to God Himself?
I welcome your comments!
Friendship with God
18 Comments
J.D. Wininger
“There he goes again!” I’m certain that’s what God says the most about me. LOL It seems I am forever trying to anticipate His plans or finish His sentences. The sad part is, I’ve never been correct once. God ALWAYS plans, thinks, and says better than I think He is going to do. I realized some years ago, that God is bigger and more capable than I can even imagine. It’s with a sense of anticipation, like a child with wrapped presents, that I am learning to see what He does next in my life. Oh, I still try and run ahead or pull on the leash a bit from time to time, but I’m learning the reward is most definitely worth the restraint. Great post today Ms. Annie.
Annie Yorty
J.D., if you read my upcoming book, you’ll probably laugh at how often I fail to properly wait. I’m stubborn, but God is extremely patient with me. I’d like to think I’m further than I was a few years ago. Thanks for visiting and adding to the conversation. I always enjoy hearing from you.
Joanne Viola
Annie, I so appreciated this post as my one word focus for this year is “Wait.” 🙂 The analogy you shared of when you were in Civil Air Patrol was powerful because it is true. We do start leaning. But where, and in which direction will we lean? May I wait on God and for God all the days of my life!
Annie Yorty
I’m honored that God used my humble words to confirm His work in your life. Indeed, waiting on anything other than God is hopeless. Thank you for visiting and commenting.
Katherine Pasour
Many times, more than I can count, I’ve gotten ahead of myself–made a rash decision without praying and waiting on God. And yes, often it ended badly for me. I’ve gotten better, thankfully, but I still get that urge to “just do it.” I’m grateful our Father is patient and forgiving, to bring me back near to Him when I’ve drifted away. Thank you, Annie, your message if one of hope and assurance of God’s great love for us.
Annie Yorty
Been there, done that, Katherine. I can see, though, how Father is growing me in that area. He is faithful to teach us how to desire Him above all. Blessings!
Nancy E. Head
Waiting is hard, and I’ve squirmed under quite a bit of it. It is, however, one of God’s most effective tools in shaping us. Great message, Annie. God bless!
Annie Yorty
What a wonderful observation, Nancy. It does sometimes feel like a chisel when we’re being sculpted. Thanks for visiting and commenting.
Barbara Latta
Waiting with God isn’t the same to Him as it is to us. We do get impatient. God doesn’t look at the ticking clock. He knows what needs to get ready before He releases anything to us. I do love your equation! Blessings, Annie!
Annie Yorty
How true, Barbara. God exists outside of time (Psalm 90:4). He exists in all of reality, while we only perceive a small slice, and He always has our good in mind. That’s why we can trust Him. Thank you for visiting!
Sylvia Schroeder
Ah yes. The wait. It is just so hard, and it doesn’t seem to me to get easier. Every stage of life has its waiting. So grateful for Isaiah 40:31. It has encouraged me so often. Thanks for this well written post. Great reminders!
Annie Yorty
Thank you, Sylvia. We need to encourage one another to persevere even while we wait.
Yvonne Morgan
Thanks for the encouragement. This is one thing I struggle with in my faith walk.
Annie Yorty
Praise God, Yvonne, that He’s so patient with us.
Carla G. Pollard
But waiting is so hard! Thank you for this post. I waffle back and forth so much in this area. It is always best when we wait on His timing. Blessings.
Annie Yorty
You’re definitely not alone, Carla. Thankfully, we can encourage one another.
Jennifer
Waiting is so hard, but it is also when God does some of His best work. I am in the midst of waiting now and trying to remain in His presence and not push things along.
Annie Yorty
I find waiting to be excruciating at times, but I agree that my discontent is often great fodder for God’s instruction. I’ll pray with you as you wait.