One of the hardest things for anyone to do is wait, from waiting in lines and traffic jams to waiting for news. No one likes to wait. As Christians, we’re big on waiting. We encourage one another by saying things like, “Wait on the Lord, he’s going to do it.” One of the most quoted verses on waiting has to be this one from Isaiah.

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.

Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)

When we wait on the Lord, we’re promised that good things will happen.

Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

Psalm 37:34 (KJV)

However, while waiting on the Lord, we must be patient.

Wait patiently for the Lord; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the Lord!

Psalm 27:14 (BSB)

Along with waiting on the Lord comes the notion that God will fight our battles while we’re waiting. 

All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands” (emphasis added).

1 Samuel 17:47 (NIV)

In 1 Samuel 17:47, David declares that the battle is the Lord’s. We see a similar declaration when King Jehoshaphat faced hordes of Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites.

He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s (emphasis added).

2 Chronicles 20:15 (NIV)

Oddly, we associate waiting on the Lord with him fighting our battles because, in 1 Samuel 17 and 2 Chronicles, David and Jehoshaphat didn’t stop their actions and wait for God to fight the battle. Look at what 1 Samuel 17:48 tells us.

As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him (emphasis added).

1 Samuel 17:48 (NIV)

David didn’t shout the battle was the Lord’s and sat down, waiting for God to fight it. No, he rushed forward in faith to grab hold of God’s victory for Israel. We see something similar in 2 Chronicles 20:16.

Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel (emphasis added).

2 Chronicles 20:16 (NIV)

Indeed, Jehoshaphat and his army did not end up fighting their enemy. However, they still marched to battle. 

When we say the battle is the Lord’s, are we in error then if we’re associating it with waiting on the Lord? After all, waiting and marching are contrary, aren’t they?

As we contemplate that question, let’s consider Moses. Baby Moses. In fact, let’s consider Moses’ sister Miriam. 

Moses was born when every Hebrew newborn male child was to be thrown in the Nile (cf. Exodus 1:22). However, Moses’ parents hid him until he was three months old. Then his mother sent him out onto the Nile in a tiny ark (cf. Exodus 2:3). After Moses was released into the Nile, his sister Miriam did something.

His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.

Exodus 2:4 (NIV)

Miriam could have stayed home and done nothing. She could have “waited” on the Lord and let him fight the battle since it was his. Instead, Miriam chose to wait and see what happened by acting. What happens next?

Then Pharaoh’s daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the riverbank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her female slave to get it. She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. “This is one of the Hebrew babies,” she said.

Exodus 2:5-6 (NIV)

Instead of waiting to see what happens next, Miriam takes a bold step of faith. 

Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?”

Exodus 2:7 (NIV)

Talking to another human being may not seem like much to us. However, compared to Egyptian royalty, Hebrews were nothing. Thus, it took some courage to just walk up to the ruler of Egypt’s daughter and talk to her, and then getting Moses’ mother to nurse him was a stroke of genius. Not only does Jochebed (Moses’ mother) get to nurse her son, but she also gets paid to do it!

Whether Miriam was there to watch Moses be rescued from the Nile or not, he would have been saved by the princess. However, because Miriam didn’t stay home and do nothing (waiting), her entire family was blessed. 

While waiting on the Lord, we can wait and do nothing. After all, God is God all by himself, and he doesn’t need our help. However, we step out in faith when we take hold of the opportunities God gives us while we wait. The battle certainly is the Lords, but who has ever won a battle by sitting by and doing nothing? Thus, waiting on the Lord is an act of faith. 

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, freed from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart and receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

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