Wait

A Point to Ponder

Have you ever been in a place and time where you had to wait upon God? Or perhaps He told you to wait.

Why the Wait?

The Bible develops several points that explain why it is necessary to wait for the timing and processes of the Lord. The concept seems important – the Open Bible lists 81 Bible verses that emphasize our need to wait upon the Lord. Let’s consider a few important passages.

Now, dear friends, do not let this one thing escape your notice, that a single day is like a thousand years with the Lord and a thousand years are like a single day. ⁹ The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:8-9 NET).

One of the reasons we wait is because God does not count or measure time the way we do.

We have a schedule to keep – God does not. God had Israel wander in the wilderness for 40 years – not to punish them for a lengthy amount of time, but for all of them to learn the lesson and the truth, which required the death of some.

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31 ESV).

Another reason we wait is to allow time for our strength to be renewed.

When we work hard physically, we need to rest and regain our strength so that we can work again. There are times when we work hard spiritually. But the hectic nature of our pace rarely allows us time to rest and regain spiritual strength. Sometimes God “puts us on pause” so that we can be renewed and prepared to soar.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long (Psalms 25:4-5 ESV).

Sometimes we wait so that we can learn.

The psalmist says he waits all day for the Lord to teach him godly ways and lead him along godly paths. If God is asking you to wait, your Bible had better be open.

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah (Psalm 62:8 ESV).

Just as times of waiting should point us to the Scriptures,

Waiting for God should bring us to our knees in prayer.

The psalmist encourages us to pour out our hearts to God. Waiting should strengthen and improve the time we spend with God in prayer. This verse deserves our attention to two more important details.

During our times of waiting, we should see God as a refuge – a place of safety in the times of storms. Bask in the grace and power of God. Don’t plead with Him for things. Don’t ask Him to hurry His timetable. Thank Him for being your shelter and shield.

Selah – Rest – Wait

Finally, notice the last word of this verse. It is the word “Selah.” It is a Hebrew word that occurs 71 times in the Psalms and three times in the prophetic book of Habakkuk. Based on the context, most theologians believe it is a musical term and provides musical direction. The fact that it is found at the end of phrases, verses or chapters leads us to believe that it suggests a pause – a musical notation to “rest” if you will.

It is not easy to trace the etymology of this word. The word is spelled the same as the Hebrew verb סלה

(sala) which means to heap up. The word is mostly used about building highways. Highways come along when a heap of individuals trod the same route, creating a natural path. After a time, the government comes in and heaps up crushed stones upon the path, creating an official road or highway, making the journey easier and more directed for future travelers.

High-wait: Roads under Construction

The command to create a highway for the Lord in the desert has little to do with Jeeps or Land Rovers. Instead, we are being asked to follow the same path, to be wiser and more efficient with the steps we take and the way we approach God. The concept is the same as the command to “lift up the Lord.” We are not to physically hoist Him up in our arms to the ceiling. Rather we should purposely place God into the highest priority of our lives.

In music, the people are not to “heap up” the volume of their voices and instruments but need to bring their musical tones into an amazing harmonious chord. A musician today might be instructed to resolve the chord as the musical expression comes to a pause.

Pour out your heart to God as you rest. Continue to rest, waiting for God to answer, strengthen, and direct you. Understand that you are waiting for God to heap stones upon the path He wants you to take. Bring the music of your life into perfect harmony with the Composer of all.

Waiting in the Upper Room

Let’s turn our attention back to the disciples waiting in the Upper Room. Let’s re-set the stage. Jesus was gathered with His disciples and spoke to them about the kingdom of God.

After he had said this, while they were watching, he was lifted up and a cloud hid him from their sight. ¹⁰ As they were still staring into the sky while he was going, suddenly two men in white clothing stood near them ¹¹ and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will come back in the same way you saw him go into heaven” (Acts 1:9-11 NET).

Men of Galilee Wait

The angel addressed them as “Men of Galilee” which may indicate they were somewhere in Galilee when Jesus ascended. These believers returned to Jerusalem where they went back to the Upper Room.

¹² Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called the Mount of Olives (which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away). ¹³ When they had entered Jerusalem, they went to the upstairs room where they were staying. Peter and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James were there. ¹⁴ All these continued together in prayer with one mind, together with the women, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers (Acts 1:12-14 NET).

In the passage in the first chapter of Acts, Luke tells us several things the believers did while they were waiting in the Upper Room. Let’s take a closer look at each.

a)      The Disciples were together

This may seem like an obvious point, but let’s not overlook it. Just listen to these three verses. In verse 12, “they” is mentioned once. In verse 13 the word “they” is mentioned three times. All eleven disciples are mentioned by name. Verse 14 uses the word “together” twice and tells us that the number was not just the eleven, but also Mary, His brothers and other women. Verse 15 tells us there were about 120 people there.

When I am waiting on God, I tend to want to be alone, by myself. While it is important to be contemplative, it may be just as important to be with trusted friends who share the same worldview and values. I need to see things from a proper perspective and the views and opinions of others are important for that process.

b)      The Disciples prayed together in unity

Verse 14 tells us that all who were there continued praying together with such intense focus they all had the same mind. The disciples were waiting, but they were not lazy or idle. The word “continued” is significant. They didn’t begin to pray. Their intense prayers, no doubt, began when Jesus stood in the trials. Their prayers were continuing.

c)       The Disciples calmly and logically assessed their situation

While the disciples were waiting, they decided to review their circumstances and assess the situation. What needs do they have? Is God trying to teach them something within their circumstances? Are there issues that need to be addressed? Notice what Luke records.

¹⁵ In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a gathering of about 120 people) and said, ¹⁶ “Brothers, the scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit foretold through David concerning Judas—who became the guide for those who arrested Jesus— ¹⁷ for he was counted as one of us and received a share in this ministry.” 

Judas Meets His End

¹⁸ (Now this man Judas acquired a field with the reward of his unjust deed, and falling headfirst he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out. ¹⁹ This became known to all who lived in Jerusalem, so that in their own language they called that field Hakeldama, that is, “Field of Blood.”) ²⁰ “For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his house become deserted, and let there be no one to live in it,’ and ‘Let another take his position of responsibility’ (Acts 1:15-20 NET).

The assessment was very clear. Judas was gone – something that had been previewed in the Old Testament Scriptures. Something needs to be done. The psalms indicated that another should take his position of responsibility.

d)      The Disciples attempted to be visionary about their mission

They perceived their mission – to take the gospel to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the world – was not going to vanish. They needed to find a replacement for Judas. How should they decide who to pick? Peter takes the place of leadership. Could this relate to the way Jesus talked to Peter in Galilee found in the gospel of John?

Thus, one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time the Lord Jesus associated with us, ²² beginning from his baptism by John until the day he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness of his resurrection together with us” (Acts 1:21-22 NET).

The disciples see that to be a witness of the gospel message, one would need to be with Jesus from the very beginning – when Jesus was baptized by John – and the person should be a witness to the resurrected Jesus. Let’s face it – if you are going to tell others about the resurrected Lord, you probably should have seen in and not just heard about it.

e)       They sought the Lord’s guidance in finding a solution

Of the people who qualified, two men stood out, Joseph Justus (called Barsabas) and Matthias. Their prayer was powerful: “Lord you know our hearts. Show us which of these two You have chosen.” They cast lots – drew straws – and the lot fell to Matthias. From then on Matthias became one of the Twelve.

Can you recognize a time that you have waited upon God? Is that time going on right now? Looking back, can you determine what God wanted to accomplish during that time? How did God guide you toward your next steps? What “power” have you seen that He provided to you?