Wait. Wait. Wait Some More
What do you think about when you hear the word w.a.i.t.? In most cultures when the word is used toward us we think, we must stop! Even when we use the word toward others we are saying stop. What if when we stopped we thought pause? To wait may mean a pause which indicates soon we can move towards the thing we were pursuing.
I know 2024 is ending and we do not have to wait long for 2025 to begin. Maybe your ‘to-do’ list did not get done! Maybe some of your goals did not get finished and some of your prayers did not get answered! If that is the case, what do we do? We kick them into next year which is just around the corner and we W.A.I.T. because God…
Will
Answer
In
Time
The epistemology of a word helps us understand what it may really mean. To wait can mean to remain inactive or in a state of repose until something expected happens (often followed by for, till, or until ). For example, wait for the bus to arrive. Some synonyms are delay, abide, linger, and await.
The Bible often lends even more understanding to the believer. The Hebrew meanings of a word, give clarity and direction as we w.a.i.t. In the Old Testament there are many forms of the word w.a.i.t. Let’s look at three. The first Hebrew word for wait is yâchal, pronounced yaw-chal', and is used 41 times. It means by implication to be patient, hope: cause to have, make, t0 be pained, stay, tarry, trust, and wait. A second Hebrew meaning of the word w.a.i.t. is qâvâh pronounced kaw-vaw' and its meaning is to bind together, perhaps by twisting, collect; to expect: gather together, look, patiently tarry, wait for, on, upon. It occurs 49 times. A third Hebrew meaning of the word w.a.i.t. is shâmar, pronounced shaw-mar' and it means to properly hedge about, as with thorns, that is, guard, generally to protect, attend to, to beware, be circumspect, take heed to yourself, keep yourself, mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save, be sure, that lay wait for, watchman. Shâmar occurs 468 times.
Have you been waiting for God to tell you when to move on a certain project, or to move to a different city, or to find a different job? Biblically and historically many people have waited until God said go concerning these same issues. How can you know when to go? It is similar to coming up to a light on the highway. How do you know when to slow down? When the light turns yellow. The yellow light gives us time to slow down, pause, and get direction. How do you know when to stop? When the light is red, of course. And the green light is for … it is time to go.
Let’s look at another analogy. Have you ever flown, on an airplane? If so, you know the preparation that goes into getting ready, getting to the airport hours before the flight, just so you can w.a.i.t. You sit at your gate, waiting for your flight and when your flight begins to board … it’s time to go!
Many New Testament Scriptures talk about waiting. Here is one for you today. Let us not grow weary while doing good (while you wait) for in due season you will reap IF you and I do not lose heart (Galatians 6:9).
My encouraging word today as we close one year to enter another is to remember the words of the Hebrew writer in Chapter 13:8, Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (into the future). No matter what happened last year, God was there. No matter what is happening now (or not happening) God is with you. No matter what next year holds God is already there w.a.i.t.ing on you.
Happy New Year!
Remember the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart.
Dr. Michele
December 29, 2024
