There are different aspects to waiting on the Lord, and they all involve doing something rather than nothing. Today’s verse especially refers to waiting for strength and equipping. Before Jesus ascended to heaven, he promised to send the Holy Spirit. His followers were found “waiting” by praying and worshiping together on the day of Pentecost. Fasting and praying is a form of waiting on the Lord, whether for direction, spiritual power, or miraculous intervention. 

Waiting for the Lord can also involve submitting to God’s timing or confirmation and not acting too quickly on our own understanding. For example, in the book of Joshua, chapter 9, we read how the Israelites entered into a deceptive “peace treaty” proposed by a neighboring group without seeking God about the issue. They made a poor decision that robbed Israel of peace instead. These things were written down as examples for us.

Waiting on the Lord is an important part of being faithful to past and current directions; it is not only for preparing for something new. When we wait on the Lord, we will be more effective in life and service to which God has called us. Whether we are young or old, in Jesus we can run and not be weary, we can walk and not faint. Our words and our work can have the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish their purpose rather than just wear us out.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the strength that comes from waiting on You. Teach us to wait with faith, with worship, and with prayer, trusting in Your perfect timing. Help us not to rely on our own understanding but to seek Your guidance in every step. Renew our strength as we wait, so that we may walk in obedience, run with endurance, and soar in Your purpose. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Waiting on the Lord will involve dedicated periods of time, such as the Free Chapel fast at the beginning of the year. But our hearts should be inclined to wait on the Lord regularly. In your time with God the rest of this week, specifically submit current activities and upcoming decisions to Him and pray for wisdom, insight, and skill.