Waiting on God: Finding Strength in His Presence

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” —Isaiah 40:31

In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel the pressure to always be on the move. Everywhere you look, it seems like people are rushing to get things done. But as Christians, we are called to take a step back each day and wait on God. The Bible tells us that when we wait on the Lord, He renews our strength and gives us what we need to face life’s challenges.

To "wait on God" means more than just sitting around passively. It involves having hope and trust in God—waiting for His plan to unfold, knowing that He is in control. It’s about taking time to be still before Him and trusting that He will give us strength for whatever comes our way. Waiting is not about idleness. It’s an active process of seeking God through prayer, Bible study, church attendance, giving, and sharing our faith. Every aspect of our Christian life is an opportunity to wait on God, to listen for His voice, and to rely on His strength.

In Isaiah 40:31, the Bible speaks about those who wait upon the Lord, saying they will renew their strength. But who are these people who wait upon the Lord? The Psalmist in Psalm 55:17 gives us a clue when he writes, “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” A dedicated person makes it a priority to seek God every day. Whether it’s morning, noon, or night, they find time to pray and listen to God. Waiting on God requires dedication and a commitment to make time for Him.

However, waiting is not always easy or immediate. In Acts 2:4, we see the disciples waiting for ten days before God sent His Holy Spirit. It was a time of anticipation and preparation. While they waited, they did not grow impatient, but trusted that God’s timing was perfect. God works in His own timing, and we must trust that when the time is right, He will move. Waiting is never wasted time, even if we don’t see immediate results.

When we wait on God, we are waiting on the Lord (See also Philippians 2:9-11), a name that carries great significance. In Exodus 3:14, God reveals His name to Moses as "I AM THAT I AM," which speaks of His self-existence and sovereignty. God doesn’t need anyone to exist—He is completely self-sufficient. When we wait on God, we are trusting in this unchanging, all-powerful God who is in control of everything. His name, Yahweh, reflects His essence and identity, and when we wait on Him, we are trusting His supreme power and wisdom.

God is not only self-sufficient but also able to meet all of our needs. Philippians 4:19 assures us, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Waiting on God means trusting that He will provide for us, whether it’s physically, emotionally, or spiritually. He is fully able to meet our needs because He is the great I AM.

When we wait on God, He promises to renew our strength. Isaiah 41:10 tells us, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee.” God’s strength is powerful and never runs out. When we are weak, He gives us the strength we need to face whatever challenges come our way. His power is greater than any difficulty, and when we wait on Him, He renews our strength in ways we could never imagine.

Ephesians 3:16 speaks of being “strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.” This is the strength that God gives us on the inside. It’s the kind of strength that empowers us to live out our faith, to do the work He has called us to do and to keep going even when life is tough. Waiting on God is about inner strength that comes from His Spirit. It’s the strength that helps us keep our focus on Him and live out His will.

God promises that when we wait on Him, we will experience victory. Isaiah 40:31 says that those who wait on the Lord will "mount up with wings as eagles." This is a picture of rising above our struggles and challenges. Just as an eagle soars high in the sky, we too will rise above our difficulties when we wait on God. He gives us the power to overcome and be victorious in every area of our lives.

God also gives us strength to keep going. The Bible says that we will “run, and not be weary.” This speaks of the persistence God gives us to keep going, even when we feel tired or discouraged. His strength is not limited—it is limitless. We can run the race of faith without growing weary because He provides us with the strength we need to persevere.

Finally, God promises that when we wait on Him, we will not faint. We may not always see the big picture, but God is faithful to give us the strength to keep walking in His will. Life is often about taking one step at a time, and when we wait on God, He gives us the strength to keep walking, no matter how difficult the journey may seem.

As you go through your day, remember to take time to wait on God. Don’t rush through life—spend time in His presence, listen for His voice, and trust that He is working in your life. When you wait on Him, you will find His strength, His peace, and His direction.