In a recent conversation with a friend whose husband is making frustratingly slow progress in ICU, I quoted a line from the blind Christian poet John Milton, who frustratingly lost his sight later in life, “They also serve who only stand and wait.” Milton’s insight aligns closely with biblical witness that not all obedience is active, visible, or dramatic. Sometimes the greatest service we render to God is simply remaining faithful when nothing seems to be happening. It is also frightening to think that by rushing to action we may, in fact, be frustrating some other piece of God’s will and purpose that He wishes to complete before the resolution to our particular concern.
Waiting is one of the most challenging disciplines of the Christian life. We live in a culture that prizes speed, efficiency, and immediate results. Very often waiting feels counterintuitive—almost irresponsible. Yet Scripture consistently presents waiting not as weakness, but as a vital expression of faith. Psalm 27:14 declares, “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord” (NLT). The repetition of the command underscores its importance and reveals how deeply our hearts struggle with stillness before God.
Waiting confronts our desire for control. When circumstances are unclear or painful, we instinctively reach for solutions. We feel compelled to act, to fix, or at least to move. Waiting seems passive, even negligent. Yet Proverbs reminds us of the limits of our judgment: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5, NLT). Waiting forces us to acknowledge that our perspective is partial, while God’s is complete.
Throughout Scripture, God’s people are repeatedly called to wait. Isaiah affirms that waiting is not a waste, but a source of renewal: “Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40:31, NLT). Strength does not always come through action; often it is forged in endurance. Waiting reshapes our desires, quiets our fears, and deepens our dependence on God.
Waiting also exposes the difference between faith and anxiety. When we rush ahead of God, we often act from fear—fear of loss, failure, or uncertainty. Yet Scripture invites us into a different posture: “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act” (Psalm 37:7, NLT). Stillness before God is not inactivity; it is attentive trust. It is choosing prayer over panic and surrender over self-reliance.
The history of Israel offers powerful examples of the cost of impatience. When the people grew weary of waiting for Moses to return from Mount Sinai, they fashioned a golden calf, seeking a tangible substitute for God’s unseen work. Their impatience led them into error and subsequent discipline. In contrast, those who waited on the Lord—such as David during his years of exile before becoming king—learned humility, restraint, and trust. David later testified, “I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry” (Psalm 40:1, NLT).
In the New Testament, waiting remains central to discipleship. Jesus instructed His followers to wait for the promised Holy Spirit before beginning their mission: “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised” (Acts 1:4, NLT). The early church’s obedience in waiting prepared them for empowerment beyond their own ability. God’s purposes unfold not according to human urgency, but divine timing.
Waiting requires courage because it resists the illusion that we are in control. Psalm 27:14 pairs waiting with bravery for good reason. It takes resolve to trust God when answers are delayed and outcomes remain unseen. Yet Scripture assures us that waiting is never empty. “The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him” (Lamentations 3:25, NLT).
For we believers, waiting is not a pause in faith—it is faith in its purest form. It is choosing to believe that God is at work even when evidence is scarce. As we wait, we learn to listen, to hope, and to trust. And in that sacred stillness, we discover that standing and waiting before the Lord is not a lesser form of service, but a profound act of worship.
Blessings on you and yours, Jim Black
P.S. if you’d like to read previous ruminations of mine they can be found at https://blog.salvationarmyconcordca.org