2 Kings 6:33
While he was still talking to them, the messenger came down to him. The king said, “This disaster is from the Lord. Why should I wait for the Lord any longer?”
Psalm 27:14
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 130:5
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.
Psalm 130:6
I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Proverbs 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.
Isaiah 8:17
I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the descendants of Jacob. I will put my trust in him.
Isaiah 40:31
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Genesis 16 Abraham seeking to have a son through Hagar
1 Sam 13 Saul made a sacrifice instead of wating for Samuel and was rejected as king.
To "wait on the Lord" means actively trusting, hoping, and seeking God's guidance and strength, not passively sitting still; it involves prayer, studying His Word, keeping His commandments, and living life with confident expectation that He will act in His perfect timing, renewing strength and providing intervention. It's an active, hopeful anticipation, like an "eager servant" ready for a master, requiring faith, patience, and endurance.
Active Trust: Believing God is working and will fulfill His promises, even when it takes longer than expected.
Spiritual Engagement: Spending time in prayer, God's Word, and His presence to hear from Him.
Hopeful Expectancy: Being energized by the confident knowledge that God will act and reveal His plans.
Obedient Living: Continuing to follow His commandments and live righteously while waiting.
Renewal: Drawing strength from God, often described as exchanging exhaustion for renewed vigor (like eagles).
Submission: Submitting to God's will and acknowledging His sovereignty over all things.
What it is NOT:
Passive waiting: It's not helplessness or simply sitting back; it's an engaged, purposeful waiting.
Worry or fear: It's the opposite of being consumed by anxiety, as it involves trusting God's control.
In essence, it's a posture of the heart and life that combines patient trust with active faith, looking to God for direction and power.
Other thoughts
It means
not going ahead of God in our own strength
not giving up
trusting that God will do what is right at the right time - faith