How to Wait on the Lord
Daily Old Testament Reading: Genesis 7-9
Daily Focus Passage: Genesis 8
Waiting on the Lord can be a challenging activity. We live in a culture of instant access and gratification, and thus patience becomes a struggle. We desire to move forward and carry out the next task when the Lord tells us to slow down and wait on him and his timing. In Genesis 8, Noah has been waiting on the Lord to recede the waters. He sends out scout doves multiple times before the water recedes and the ark inhabitants can leave. I believe Noah demonstrates how to wait on the Lord.
TRUST IN HIS PLAN
Noah participated in the plan of God by building a boat in blind obedience. As the rain fell, the boat's purpose became realized, and Noah entered the ark, trusting in the Lord's plan. He had to trust that the Lord was in control and that the ark would survive the coming onslaught. Thus, as Noah waited on the Lord to be able to exit the ark, he had to trust in God's plan during the activity and not just at the beginning. Likewise, when we seek to follow the Lord and wait on his timing, we must remain faithful to and trust in the Lord's plan.
TRUST IN HIS PROVISION
Noah endured the journey by relying upon the Lord's provision. The time in the ark occurred with complete reliance upon the Lord. Noah had to believe that the Lord would provide all that was needed for the adventure and allow them to survive. However, he knew the Lord would provide for their needs because he provides when he calls. Today, the Lord continues to provide for the needs of his children when he calls them to a task. This provision assures the calling and provides a foundation to wait on the Lord faithfully.
TRUST IN HIS PRESENCE
Noah knew that he did not live alone though the earth faced destruction. He knew the Lord was with him. The presence of the Lord served as an encouragement to continue to the end of the journey. The presence of the Lord provided a constant reminder of God's plan, his provision, and the promises of what lay ahead. Today, believers can find the strength to wait upon the Lord because of his presence. When we begin to feel alone, we receive the reminder that we are not alone but instead have the presence of the Lord.
TRUST IN HIS PROMISE
The Lord's plan includes a promise. Though destruction was coming, the Lord honored the righteousness of Noah and planned for him to be the agent used to repopulate the earth. As Noah faced the waiting game, he could find hope in the promise of the Lord that even though the difficulty, something amazing lay ahead. Today, we have the promise of eternity when we have a relationship with Jesus as Lord and Savior. This promise promotes endurance for the journey that we face and gives us patience in the time of waiting.
As God calls you to follow him, do you use the calling as a reminder to endure the time of waiting on the Lord? Do you seek to obey and trust in the provision of the Lord? When impatience begins to creep in, do you seek to sense the presence of the Lord and find patience? Are you resting in the promise of the Lord? How are you waiting on the Lord?
