This
is a very sensitive topic to look into as Christians. Many people can wait; in
fact everybody can wait. But the
problem is this; what are we waiting on? Are we waiting in hope, or are we waiting
in vain?
Waiting in hope and waiting
in vain are two different things entirely. They are both perceived as “waiting”, but the difference is spotted
after the trying period.
Let’s
look at a very tactical example of what we are talking about. In an Olympic track
event, athletes are expected to line up in their designated tracks, right? Now,
an athlete who feels like he has the right to own his own track then goes ahead
to design his. After his addition, he then lines up on ‘his track’ to compete in
the race. Even if such an athlete gets to the finish line first, he would be
considered an invalid contestant because he wasn’t running in the right track
but ‘his
own track’. Such an athlete RAN
IN VAIN.
But
we’re talking about ‘waiting’ not ‘running’, so we’re not going to dwell
on the ‘invalid athlete’.
How Can We Know When We Are
Waiting On The Lord In Hope And Not In Vain?
Our
main purpose on earth is to grow through our experiences. And the bible helps
us to greatly understand this Psalms 37:9 – “wait upon the Lord”. The
scriptural definition of waiting on the
Lord, is to have hope in Him, to expect Him, and to have total trust in Him
to the very end. And to successfully do this, it requires long-sufferings,
keeping His commandments, humility and absolute faith in Him and endurance to
the very end. But, how do we do this?
You
can’t wait on the Lord without communicating with Him through prayers and going
through His words in the Holy Bible.
We also need to be in communion with the Holy Spirit and allow Him to work in
us and through us.
Now
these are certain things we can do while we’re waiting on the Lord.
- · Be expectant, but be prepared for unexpected answers.
- · Put your complete hope in Him and in His words.
- · Trust not in your own human understanding. Put your trust in Him.
- · Be courageous, but not filled with useless pride.
- · Don’t be carried away by little challenges or achievements. Keep pressing forward.
- · Be prayerful and be filled with thanksgivings.
- · Believe that God hears your cries.
You
will experience God in another whole dimension if you diligently wait on Him