Active Trust, Enduring Faith, and Finding Strength in God’s Perfect Timing
Waiting on the Lord—it’s a phrase you might hear in church, see in the Bible, or hear people say when life gets tough. But what does it actually mean, especially for someone who wants practical answers, not just spiritual slogans? Let’s break it down together, taking the mystery out and uncovering the everyday power and purpose hidden in these words.
What Does “Waiting on the Lord” Mean?
At first glance, “waiting” can sound like standing in a long line at the grocery store or sitting in traffic—something passive, frustrating, or boring. But when the Bible talks about waiting on the Lord, it means something very different. It’s not about doing nothing. It’s about an active kind of trust.
“Waiting” in this sense means putting your confidence in God’s timing, wisdom, and love—even when you don’t have all the answers, even when things are slow or uncertain. It’s a choice to say, “I will trust God to work things out, even if I don’t see results right away.”
This kind of waiting isn’t about resigning yourself to whatever happens. Instead, it’s about leaning into God’s strength, seeking His guidance, and letting Him shape your attitude, your actions, and even your hopes.
Active Trust—Not Just Sitting Around
To “wait on the Lord” is more like being on a team where you trust the coach’s plan, even if you don’t know all the plays. You keep practicing. You stay ready. You listen for direction. You trust that, in the end, it will all work out for the best.
That’s why the Bible encourages us to be active as we wait—through prayer, reading scripture, serving others, and reflecting on what God might be teaching us. It’s about getting involved in the process, not just waiting for a magic answer to drop from the sky.
· Prayer: Talk to God about your hopes, fears, and questions. Lay it all out, honestly. Prayer is a way to connect, to listen, and to grow closer to God—even when you don’t have everything figured out.
· Scripture and Reflection: Spend time reading and thinking about what God says in the Bible. There are promises, stories, and encouragements that can give you hope and perspective.
· Serving Others: While you’re waiting for your own answers, look for ways to help and encourage someone else. Sometimes, serving helps us see new possibilities for our own lives.
· Obedient Action: Keep doing what you know is right, even if you’re waiting for bigger direction. Be faithful in the small things, and trust that God is working behind the scenes.
Why Does God Ask Us to Wait?
This is a huge question, and it’s one that people have asked for thousands of years. Why doesn’t God just answer our prayers right away? Why do good people face challenges or delays?
The Bible makes it clear that God’s timing is perfect—even when it doesn’t match our plans. Sometimes, waiting is about growing—learning patience, trust, and persistence. Sometimes, it’s to protect us from something we can’t see. Other times, it’s to prepare us for something better than we imagined.
In Psalm 27, the writer talks about seeking God’s presence and trusting Him even when life feels hard: “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he will strengthen your heart.” It’s a call to hold on, to keep hoping, to keep believing—even when the road is long.
What Does Waiting Look Like Day-to-Day?
Let’s put all this into real-life terms. You might be waiting for a new job, a relationship, a healing, or an answer to a big decision. While you wait:
· Talk to God daily. Start your morning or end your day with a simple prayer—asking for wisdom, peace, and strength.
· Let go of your own timelines. It’s okay to have plans, but be open to God’s timing. Sometimes things take longer because something better is coming or because you’re being shaped in the process.
· Find encouragement in the Bible. Verses like Isaiah 40:31 (“But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…”) remind us that waiting isn’t wasted—God uses it to build us up.
· Stay active in what you can control. Serve, study, work hard, and take care of yourself and others while you wait. Don’t put life on hold.
· Seek wise advice. Talk to people you trust—mentors, pastors, or friends—who can give you perspective and encouragement.
Examples from the Bible
The Bible is full of people who had to wait:
· Abraham waited decades for a promised son. He didn’t do it perfectly, but God kept His promise in the end.
· Joseph waited through years of hardship and disappointment. His faith and patient trust led to him helping an entire nation.
· David, the psalmist and king, spent years on the run before becoming king. His Psalms are full of honest prayers—sometimes desperate, but always returning to hope in God.
· Jesus waited in prayer before beginning his public ministry, and often withdrew to pray as he waited on God’s leading.
In each case, waiting wasn’t about doing nothing. It was about growing in trust, learning perseverance, and discovering that God’s best is worth the wait.
How Waiting Makes Us Stronger
It may seem like waiting is just a delay, but it’s actually a season of preparation. While we wait, God gives us strength for today. He helps us face challenges with courage. He teaches us to trust, and He shows us that our worth isn’t tied to how quickly our prayers are answered.
Waiting on God often builds qualities like:
· Patience: Learning to trust the process, even when it moves slower than we’d like.
· Endurance: Developing the ability to keep going, even when times are tough.
· Faith: Choosing trust over fear, even when we can’t see the whole picture.
· Hope: Believing God is good and that He is working for our best, even in silence.
Encouragement for the Journey
If you find yourself waiting, you’re not alone. Everyone faces seasons where answers are slow or the way forward is unclear. The good news is that God sees, God hears, and God cares. He promises to renew your strength and give you what you need for each day.
Sometimes, the most important work God does in us happens while we wait. It’s in these moments that our faith deepens, our character grows, and we learn to depend on God’s love in new ways.
A Simple Prayer for Those Waiting
If you’re struggling, here’s a prayer you can make your own:
“O love of God, without which life has no meaning or safe harbor, don’t leave me alone with my small worries, broken dreams, and persistent problems. Come into my life with your strength and your hope. Renew me—heart, mind, and spirit—so I can leave this season refreshed and ready for whatever comes next. I trust you with quiet faith, believing you won’t deny your love to your children.”
In Summary
“Waiting on the Lord” isn’t about doing nothing. It’s about being active in your trust, honest in your prayers, open to God’s timing, and faithful in the journey. While you wait, God is working—for you and within you. Trust that, in His perfect time, He will bring about what is best. Until then, take heart, keep hoping, and keep moving forward—because you are never alone.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 