In preparation for a Wednesday night prayer group I was reading through Psalm 27. In verse 14 it says, “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Waiting is a very difficult thing to do. We often become impatient and frustrated when things don’t happen when we think they ought to happen. In considering the word ‘wait’ we find that it comes from the Hebrew word: ‘qavah’ (kaw-vaw). This is a verb meaning to wait for, to look for, or to hope for. The word is used to signify depending on and ordering activities around a future event. There are times when what we hope for is delayed by sin in our lives. However, hoping for what God has promised will never disappoint. All of God’s promises will eventually come to pass. He will come again. He will set up His kingdom on this earth. We will be forever set free from the presence of sin. We can rest assured that no matter how difficult this life may be, God will do all that He said He will do. Therefore, we can order all of our activities around that hope that we have in God’s promises. Our lives should be structured in such a way they we are living with eternity in view and not just living for the here and now.

However, what about the here and now? There are times when we pray for things and it seems as if God never hears us. There are times when we are waiting on an open door or an answer to a question. How can we have strength to wait during those times? I am reminded of a recent event that took place that was simply glorious. There is an elderly lady that lives just down the road from us. She had never been to church and knows very little about the Gospel. Many people had witnessed to her over the years. One lady in our church said that she has been praying for her for over 50 years! One day, just out of the blue, I received a phone call. This precious elderly lady said she wanted to talk to me as soon as possible. I immediately walked down to her house and the very first thing she said to me was, “tell me how I can know Jesus.” I was thrilled to share the Gospel with her and to see her right there in her living room accept Jesus as her Lord and Savior. The very next Sunday she was at church for what may have been the very first time in her life. At 86 years old after over 50 years of people praying, she finally came to know Jesus! Those years of waiting to see fruit was very trying for some. Yet, they never gave up. They kept praying, they kept sharing the Gospel, and now we rejoice with the angels in heaven over another soul birthed into the kingdom! In this case, waiting was certainly worth it.

Perhaps you are waiting. Maybe you are waiting on God to reveal what He has next for you. Maybe you are waiting for God to bring you a mate. Maybe you are waiting for healing. Perhaps you are waiting for a lost loved one to come to know the Lord. Waiting is difficult but while we wait, we must faithfully walk with Him. While we wait, we must make sure we are living in holiness. We should rid ourselves of any sins that may be hindering our prayers. We must also trust Him. God knows what is best for us. So, stay faithful, keep praying, serve Him while you wait and the waiting will be worth it all.