Waiting on the Lord – A Call to Trust and Patience

Text: Psalm 40:1 (KJV)

"I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.”

In a world that demands instant gratification, where men chase fleeting pleasures and quick fixes, the Word of God calls us to a higher way—a way of faith, trust, and patient endurance. Psalm 40:1 stands as a beacon of hope and a challenge to every believer: "I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry." Waiting on the Lord is not a passive act; it is an active, faith-filled surrender to the sovereign will of God. Today, let us explore what it means to wait on the Lord, drawing from the unchanging truths of both the Old and New Testaments, and let us be stirred to trust Him more fully.

The Meaning of Waiting on the Lord

To wait on the Lord, as David declares in Psalm 40:1, is to place our confidence in God’s timing and His promises, even when our circumstances scream for us to take matters into our own hands. The Hebrew word for “waited patiently” here implies a hopeful expectation, a steadfast looking to God despite delay or trial. It’s not a restless pacing or a grumbling spirit, but a quiet trust that God is working all things for His glory and our good.

In the Old Testament, we see this exemplified in the life of Abraham. In Genesis 15:4-5, God promised Abraham a son, yet years passed with no fulfillment. Abraham and Sarah grew old, and the promise seemed impossible. Yet Romans 4:20-21 tells us, “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” Abraham waited on the Lord, and in His perfect time, God gave him Isaac. Waiting on the Lord means trusting His promises, even when the world calls them foolish.

The Struggle of Waiting

Let’s be honest, —waiting is hard. Our flesh rebels against it. We want answers now, solutions now, deliverance now. In Psalm 40:1, David doesn’t hide the struggle; he says he “cried” to the Lord. Waiting often comes with tears, with wrestling, with moments of desperation. Think of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1, barren and mocked, pouring out her soul before God in the temple. She waited year after year, yet she trusted God’s faithfulness. And when the time was right, God gave her Samuel, a prophet who would anoint kings.

In the New Testament, we see the disciples waiting in the upper room after Christ’s ascension (Acts 1:4-5). Jesus told them to tarry in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came. They didn’t know how long they’d wait, but they obeyed, praying and trusting. On the day of Pentecost, God’s promise was fulfilled with power (Acts 2:1-4). Waiting on the Lord is not wasted time; it is preparation for His mighty work in and through us.

The Blessings of Waiting

Psalm 40:1 doesn’t end with waiting—it ends with God’s response: “He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.” When we wait on the Lord, we are not abandoned. God hears. God sees. God acts. In verse 2, David continues, “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock.” Waiting leads to deliverance, stability, and a new song of praise (v. 3).

Isaiah 40:31 declares, “They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Waiting strengthens our faith, aligns our hearts with God’s will, and prepares us for His blessings. In the New Testament, Jesus assures us in Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Waiting is not denial; it is the pathway to God’s perfect provision.

The Call to Wait Faithfully

So how do we wait on the Lord? First, we wait with prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 exhorts us, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Second, we wait with obedience. Psalm 37:34 says, “Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee.” Third, we wait with hope. Lamentations 3:25 reminds us, “The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.”

Make no mistake, the devil will tempt you to despair, to doubt, to take shortcuts. But God’s Word stands sure. Psalm 27:14 commands, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Waiting is not weakness; it is worship. It is saying, “Lord, I trust You more than my own understanding. Your timing is perfect, and Your ways are right.”

As we close, let us remember that waiting on the Lord is not about sitting idle; it is about standing firm in faith, resting in His promises, and trusting His sovereign hand. David waited, and God delivered him. Abraham waited, and God fulfilled His promise. The disciples waited, and God sent His Spirit. Whatever you’re facing today—whether a trial, a need, or a longing—bring it to the Lord and wait patiently for Him. He is faithful. He will incline to you. He will hear your cry.

Heavenly Father, teach us to wait on You with unwavering faith. Help us to trust Your timing, to rest in Your promises, and to walk in obedience. May we, like David, sing a new song of praise for Your faithfulness.

 In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

DMMc 6-11-25