Waiting Part 1

 

Waiting…as you think about that word, what do you notice? What does it mean to you to “wait”?

Is 40:31

Yet those who wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.

A couple of years ago, I was asked to speak to a Recovery Group and it was clear I was go teach on this verse.  I even wrestled with God, as it is such a common verse, that so many know.  ‘What could I possibly add?' was my question.

I took some time and studied that verse inductively and was amazed at what I learned!  I will use this verse in my next few blogs and break it down to help share what God revealed to me, as He is wanting to reveal more.

To Wait…in original Hebrew language it is qavah (H6960) and it is an active verb.  It is described as a “twisting” and “clinging” to for the purposes of strengthening. That doesn’t sound like sitting idle, as I had always seen ‘waiting’ defined and known.  How do you “wait” on the Lord?

Also, Biblical context is also so important to read when trying to discern what God is saying. Enjoy reading the verses before this one and learn more.

Waiting for me has changed since I learned this! Waiting used to feel like sitting, and doing nothing, and simply longing for things to change, to be different.  Waiting felt like a timeout, and unproductive as I “waited” for God to answer my prayers and DO SOMETHING!  Now, waiting takes on the character of holy expectation and a time of clinging to the Father.  What if He allows these times that we see as a “pause” as a time to fortify us with Him!?!?

As I was praying about what to write about, I heard this verse and concept again. I was eager to dig in and learn even more...that is something I love about God's word, there is always more to know! True and faithful, He did reveal even more! This Hebrew word is also translated into ‘expectation’ and ‘hope’!!!  Hope is a theme that God has really been communicating to me from so many directions!  From our sermon series at church, to our small group study, to signs that say “Hope” on office walls in Zoom calls, to an online sermon I heard this week. I must need HOPE! In this COVID19 pandemic, we all are definitely in need of HOPE!

In this time of self-quarantine and social distancing, I have been given the gift of time to be able to cling to Him, to seek Him, learn more about what He wants me to know.  That is His greatest desire..to be known.  It is all through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation.  He wants to be KNOWN.

Father always knows what we need and when we need it.  He is a good, good Father. When I take my eyes off of the circumstances of quarantine, of isolation, of all of the “what-if” scenarios that can take center stage in my mind, and cling to Him, I am aware of a supernatural peace that comes over me. It is the fruit of His Spirit, and it happens when I seek the fruit-maker Himself.

What are you doing in this season of waiting? How might you use it as perhaps has been designed?  What could be a way that God is calling you to cling to Him? Where do you need hope?

By pausing, and reframing this season of waiting from a pause to a pivot, what will you do differently today?