Today I’m thinking about what it means to wait on God.  For my reflections I turn to the prophet Habakkuk who is struggling during a difficult time nationally.  Consider what he is dealing with emotionally and spiritually from 1:2-4…

O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and You will not hear?  Or cry to You “Violence!” and You will not save? 3 Why do You make me see iniquity, and why do You idly look at wrong?  Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. 4 So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth.  For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.

Sounds a little like the moral and social situation in America doesn’t it?  His problem was that he wanted sin to be judged… unrighteousness to be stopped… evil to be put down… God’s Law to triumph.  He sees immorality everywhere, has prayed to God about it, and it seemed that God was ignoring his requests for justice.

In 1:5-11 God answers and tells Habakkuk in essence… “And it’s going to get worse!”  We don’t expect that kind of answer to our prayers do we?!  But I like what the prophet writes next in 2:1, 3

I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint.  3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie.  If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

Now for a few thoughts…

He has decided to go into a tower (Metaphorically), so he can be a sentry of sorts to look carefully for the answer when God sends it.  Like a military guard, he has committed himself to watch diligently… over time… to receive God’s answer.  He has decided that he will wait on God regarding his complaint.

Being a sentry is an important function.  They cannot, must not, will not abandon their watch no matter what.  They stand… look carefully… and WAIT.  Waiting on God is NOT inactivity!  For example… have you ever watched waiters and waitresses at a food establishment?  They are BUSY!  Waiting on God also involves activities!  Below are four things it means to “Wait on God.”

Waiting on God means you keep doing what you were doing the last time you heard from God and were in His will.  Whatever that was…

Waiting on God means you continue seeking God!  This is done by: Reading Scripture, Praying, and Worshipping God (All three of these go together as one activity).  If you don’t think you’re getting anything out of doing these things, I guarantee you that you won’t get anything out of NOT doing them!

Waiting on God means you continue to serve others and give verbal testimony to God’s goodness.

Last, waiting on God means you think God’s thoughts.  This is done by meditating upon Scriptures constantly so that you facilitate the mind of Christ in you.  Verses such as Proverbs 3:5, James 1:2-5, and Philippians 4:4-7.

How long?  Till God answers.  How long?  However long it takes.  Is it hard?  Not if you think God’s thoughts.  Will you ever be disappointed?  Not if you have the mind of Christ!