What It Really Means to Wait Upon the Lord
Psalm 62:5 tells us, “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him.” But what does it really mean to “wait upon the Lord”? Waiting is not something most of us are comfortable with. We live in a fast-paced world, constantly moving, constantly working, constantly trying to solve problems. But biblical waiting is a different kind of waiting—it’s a surrender, a release of control, and a moment of deep trust in God’s timing. Let’s take a closer look at what it means to wait on God, using insights from the Hebrew language to break down the rich meaning of this act of faith.
First, waiting on the Lord means resting in His will. Psalm 62:5 reminds us that our hope and trust must rest entirely in God. The word translated as “wait” can also mean “rest,” as seen in Psalm 37:7: “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” Waiting isn’t passive; it’s active trust. It’s about knowing that God is working behind the scenes, even when we can’t see it. When we rest in God’s will, we stop striving to make things happen on our own terms. We let go of the anxiety that comes from trying to control every outcome. The challenge for us is: are we willing to truly rest in God’s plan, even when it doesn’t align with our own? Can we trust that His timing is perfect, even when it feels like He’s silent? These questions push us to evaluate our level of surrender and remind us that resting in the Lord is not weakness, but the ultimate act of faith.
Another dimension of waiting on God involves ceasing from our self-effort. Lamentations 2:18 uses the word “cease,” meaning to stop striving in our own strength. Often, we think that if we work hard enough, push long enough, or strategize well enough, we’ll get the result we’re hoping for. But waiting upon the Lord is a direct call to stop trying to accomplish things through our own power. It reminds me of the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42. Martha was busy with many tasks, but Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, simply listening. Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen the better thing. It’s easy to get caught up in doing things for God, but sometimes, He calls us to simply stop and be with Him. Ceasing from self-effort means we acknowledge that without God’s guidance and strength, our efforts are in vain.
Waiting on God also requires us to forbear from answering back, as highlighted in Ezekiel 24:17. Forbearing means resisting the urge to speak or to act rashly in moments of frustration. Think about the times you’ve been tempted to take matters into your own hands or respond out of emotion. When we wait upon the Lord, we practice restraint. We stop trying to provide our own solutions or defend our own way. We leave room for God to work and trust that His answers, though they may come in unexpected ways, are always better than anything we could devise. Forbearing allows us to step aside, giving God space to move and trusting Him to speak in His time. It’s not easy to forbear when we feel justified or entitled to a response, but waiting on God asks us to trust Him as the final word in every situation.
Being still in humble submission, as Isaiah 23:2 encourages, is another key to waiting on God. In a world where we are constantly urged to assert ourselves and make things happen, waiting calls us into stillness. To be still isn’t just about physical inactivity—it’s about calming the restlessness of our hearts. Stillness allows us to hear God’s voice more clearly, to let go of our plans, and to embrace His will fully. Have you ever noticed that it’s in the still, quiet moments that God speaks most clearly to our hearts? In humble submission, we stop fighting God’s will, and we allow Him to lead us.
Tarrying to be empowered is a deeper call to wait. This type of waiting is about expecting God’s empowerment before we move forward, as seen in 1 Samuel 14:9. Often, we move ahead with our own plans, thinking we’ll figure it out along the way. But tarrying means we pause until God equips us for the task at hand. It’s waiting for His Spirit to fill us with the strength, wisdom, and clarity we need. Think of the disciples in Acts 1:4, waiting in the upper room until the Holy Spirit came upon them. They didn’t rush ahead with their mission—they waited for God’s empowerment. Are we willing to do the same in our lives?
Finally, waiting upon the Lord means we are quieted in the peace of God, as Psalm 131:2 expresses. It’s a calming of the inner turmoil, where our worries are silenced by the assurance of God’s presence. When we reach this place of quietness, we are no longer anxious or fearful. We know that God is in control. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). It’s in this place of quiet trust that we find true rest for our souls.
To truly wait upon the Lord is to practice an active form of trust. It means resting in His will, ceasing from our own striving, forbearing from quick responses, and tarrying until we are empowered by His Spirit. It is an invitation to stillness, submission, and ultimately, peace in His presence. Each of these aspects requires faith, but in them, we find the strength and guidance we need to navigate life’s challenges.
As you meditate on this passage, ask yourself: where in your life do you need to stop striving and start trusting? What are you holding onto that is preventing you from fully waiting on the Lord? Reflect on these questions and be open to what God may reveal to you through this time of waiting.
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🙏 Amen 🙏