Use Your Power for Good: Your Words MatterSample

Between “Amen” and “There It Is!”

Now, let me say a word about waiting mode. I’ve heard people say, “I’m waiting on the Lord.” They quote Isaiah 40:31, “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength,” or Psalm 27:14, “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart…” But let’s be sure we understand what “waiting on the Lord” means.

It doesn’t mean sitting on the couch watching TV while you wait for God to speak to you in an audible voice. And it doesn’t mean just going about your business, passively wondering if or when God will send the answer.

We all like it when we see results immediately, but most of the time things don’t happen as fast as we want. And we need to know how to stay in faith during waiting mode. We need to know what to do between “Amen” and “There it is!”

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines wait as “to stay in place in expectation of” and “to remain stationary in readiness.” It also says “to look forward expectantly” and “to be ready and available.” That’s not just sitting around, is it?

No, waiting on the Lord means you’re expectantly looking forward to your answer. The best way to do that is to actively speak words of faith that agree with the Bible. Continually say that God is working on your situation. Don’t say the opposite of what you’ve prayed for. Be hopeful, believing the answer is due to arrive any minute.

Like when a woman is pregnant, we say she is “expecting” a baby. Everyone can see the promise of a baby inside her. We can’t see the baby yet, but we know it’s there.

And what does this “expectant” mother do while she’s waiting? She collects baby clothes and diapers and starts getting the nursery ready. Why? She’s expecting! She knows the promise will be fulfilled—it’s just a matter of time. She is expectant and she’ll wait as long as it takes.

So waiting on the Lord isn’t passively hoping that something will happen sometime soon. It’s eagerly awaiting God’s answer, actively expecting and speaking words that agree with His Word. Waiting mode is a crucial time of faith. Your words are more important than ever while you’re between “Amen” and “There it is!”