It seems only God has not changed regarding waiting. The world is striving for “instant” life style. But the Lord is the same as He is in the Bible – we need to wait. Let’s see the two opposite responses to waiting. 

The Horror of Waiting 

The flesh can’t handle waiting. It is painful to just sit and wait. Unless we are captivated by His love, waiting becomes horrible. Some of the reasons are: Usually the waiting has to be done in the darkness or in the pit. And the flesh can only perceive the obvious and the surface. So it responds legitimately to the horrible circumstances with depression, fear, and anxiety. This leads to restlessness -- an enemy of waiting. 

The flesh has hard time trusting the Lord. One needs to know God to trust Him. And to know Him requires a personal intimate love relationship. The flesh has been trained to be independent. It is proud of taking care of itself. So the very idea of waiting on Him makes it vulnerable. It can’t handle to sit with problems all around and do nothing about them. 

Even when it struggles to solve the problems on its own, the flesh ends up with more mess than it started with. This brings helplessness that grows to desperation and giving up on life itself. 

The Joy of Waiting

When we are in love with Him, we find waiting on Him to be a sweet experience. Some of the reasons for this drastic response are: 

Waiting on Him alleviates the responsibility from us. Now, He is responsible to handle the situation. The burdens are lifted up for we know that He is taking care of us. Be still, and know that I am God (Ps. 46:10).

We have spiritual eyes to see the spiritual realm. We are aware of the battle in the heavenly. We glorify the Lord for we know that He is busy behind the scene. And Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha (2 Kings 6:17). 

We have faith that He is faithful to bring the blessings to birth in due time. We know that it is only a matter of time. That the light is sure to come in the morning. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Rom. 8:28). He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things (Rom. 8:32). 

We enjoy the life of growing up. We get thrill from experiencing heavenly life style. We test our true love when we face trials. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8: 35,37-39). 

We will give the devil his rightful position. We know that he is a defeated foe. The devil’s empty threat goes futile. If God is for us, who can be against us? (Rom. 8:31b) No weapon forged against you will prevail ( Isa. 54:17). 

His presence becomes enough. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Ps. 23:4). 

What a parallel 

Let’s see our life in parallel to Daniel (see Dan. 6). Yes, at times while we are enjoying the fellowship of the Lord and doing the right things, we find ourselves in a pit. We know we don’t belong there. Unfortunately, no one can deliver us from such atrocity – even the king! 

It is unfair that we are left in the pit all alone at the mercy of the enemy. It is tempting to self-pity. We become glad, though, for the devil’s mouth is shut. We rejoice in this miracle and laugh at the enemy and praise the Lord. 

We admit, however, we slip into the mode of impatience. Because, we just want to get out of the pit! We haste to get over with the pit experience and move on with our life. Yes, it is the waiting again! 

Let’s not forget it is “a miracle pit”. We are in the most vulnerable situation in the darkness left alone with the devil. But, he is helpless. Rest assured that morning will soon come, and the Lord Himself shows up to get us out of the pit.

In conclusion 

When we are in love, we will give Him the freedom to do as He pleased. That includes letting Him take His time. Meanwhile we just enjoy His presence and yes-wait! The result is astounding: But 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 (Isa. 40:31). 
The path of righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of the day (Prov. 4:18). This is a sure thing! Let’s stay focused on Him – wait in love.