Waiting On The Lord
We live in a time in which everything seems so accelerated. We have fast foods, fast transport, fast access to information and fast communication with people all over the world. We are not slowing down. In fact, the pressure is on to increase the speed in which we do things. We expect fast results in business, technology and labor. Little patience is granted in the work place for slow learners, as expectations of rapid performance are placed on all. This high speed life style has taken its toll on physical and mental health. Psychologists are in high demand, these days, as stress is seen as the main cause of mental breakdowns and illness.
Our Creator has made us in such a wonderful way, yet knows that we are but clay and that we have limits. We are not machines that never break down. We cannot “burn the candle at both ends”, so to speak, and not suffer some consequences. It has been proven that sleep deprivation is a sure path toward insanity. We have a need for rest and relaxation. We cannot function well without it.
Man was created on the sixth day. His first day was God’s rest day, or Sabbath. In the Bible, a day begins in the evening; in other words, begins with rest. When the law was given to Moses, this principle of “Sabbath Rest” was set in stone. More was written about this law than any other, (Ex. 20:8-11). In the New Testament, Jesus said that the Sabbath was made for man, (Mark 2:27), not vice versa. He took this principle a step further by relating it to a place of spiritual rest. It is where our trust and faith is in God and not in our own abilities.
Patience, (a fruit of the Spirit), is waiting on the Lord. Some say, “God, give me patience and give it to me NOW!” And God replies: “Hurry up and WAIT”. This is a hard lesson to learn, but as we learn to wait on the Lord, our strength is renewed. Just as a good night’s sleep, refreshes our body, so does resting in God refresh our soul. Faith must be accompanied by patience to have results, (Heb. 6:12). By learning to wait, our faith becomes placed in God and is of God.
Patience, Rest and Waiting on God are all synonymous. Lacking these in our lives is considered disobedience and rebellion. When the Israelites grew impatient for Moses to come down off the mountain, they began to worship another god. This was called rebellion. Saul grew impatient in waiting for Samuel to come and offer sacrifices and it was seen as disobedience. In both cases, God dealt harshly with them. They didn’t enter into the promises. To trust God and enter His Rest is not optional. We must work hard at resting. We must say “NO” to some urgent and important demands on our time and attention. By entering into His rest and your life will be supernaturally energized and productive.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Ex. 20:8-11; Ps. 37:1-7; Is. 40:31; Heb. 3:7-4:13; I Sam. 13:8-14