(Isaiah 40:31) But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not faint.

The key word in this very familiar verse is “wait”.  When we cross a busy street, we wait.  What are we waiting for?  We are waiting for it to be safe to cross.  When we wait on the Lord, we are waiting for his timing.  We are not going to rush out into traffic, and we should not rush ahead of God’s timing.  There are signs that tell us when it’s time to cross the street, and God lets us know when it’s time to proceed with his plan for us.  Patience is required in our walk with God.

Waiting takes patience.  Here is an interesting thought, Jesus tells us to love one another.  Paul lists patience as the first word to define love.  “Love is patient,” (1Corinthians 13:4). Loving each other requires patience.  We can show our love to others by being patient with them. Patience is also part of loving God.   We show our love for God by waiting on him.

From the book of Genesis, we find Abraham and Sarah waiting twenty-five years for the son God had promised them.  Sarah was ninety years old when she delivered Isaac, and Abraham was one hundred. They waited on the Lord. Waiting for the Lord is always best in the long run.  Trying to make things happen on our schedule usually ends badly.

 Isaiah wrote the words of our scripture some twenty-five hundred years ago.  It is still wisdom to wait on the Lord.  Being patient is often a struggle, but in the end, it is worth the wait.