Summer 1993

Waiting Upon The Lord
Walter Beuttler

"Waiting" is the only Scriptural formula I know for acquiring a personal and intimate knowledge of God. Primarily, it has to do with the continual poise of one's spirit towards the Lord.

The secret of our being successful, or having an effective ministry, at least from the standpoint as God sees it, is seen in II Chronicles 26:5b. "And as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper." Through our seeking the Lord above all else, the Lord is enabled to intervene in our circumstances, or to enlarge our ministry and give us that "tone of authority" that comes only from hearing from Him.

This hearing can only be developed as we learn to Wait upon the Lord. Thus, Waiting becomes the wheel within the wheel, or the impetus, that is needed for a truly spiritual life and ministry.

There are certain prerequisites to Waiting upon the Lord:

l. "Waiting upon the Lord" requires our drawing away from activity to a stat of inactivity, as far as "doing" is concerned. Yet, true "Waiting" will be found to be vigorous activity, even though we are being physically inactive.

2. One must come to a realization that anointed ministry consists of God flowing through the individual. This will bring the value of "Waiting" into its proper perspective in the life of a busy Christian. The divine order of events may be seen in Exodus 3:10 when the Lord spoke to Moses: "Come and I will send thee." See also Mark 3:13-15 and Luke 10:l.

How do I begin?

A determination to do so is basic. To persevere in "Waiting" is difficult. Failures are frequent and discouragements many. Remember, you will be discouraged with yourself long before God will be. Set aside a time and a place to wait upon the Lord. Make the proper use of this time your goal, and above all be faithful to it.

Scripture and experience have proven that there is no substitute for the early morning hours. During this time, our minds will be clear of the thoughts of the day and less likely to wander. If it does wander, do not fight the thoughts, but displace them through worship or by reading a few Scriptures devotionally, and then return to "Waiting" with as little interruption as possible. Prayerfully consider Song of Solomon 7:12).

Many find it difficult to begin seeking the Lord in the early morning hours. The main factor being their staying up late at night. It has been said, "He who stays up to hoot with the owl will be in bed when the early bird catches the worm."

Another problem area is feelings. The consciousness of His Presence comes only as a by-product of naked faith. The basis of this faith is the foundational Scripture found in Jeremiah 23:24b, "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" Irrespective of how we feel, His Presence fills heaven and earth. He is here! Our "Waiting" in expectancy is to be based on this absolute certainty - "God is here!"

It is only after we are firmly rooted in the fact of His omnipresence that God can give us the conscious awareness of His manifest presence, lest we become overly dependent upon Him for it. (See Psalms 139:7-12).

Waiting upon the Lord will be utterly unprofitable unless it is linked with the sincerest desire to do and to obey God's will as He reveals it by His Word, and by the Spirit. If our progress is extremely slow, we might do well to consider our motives, or the possibility of any disobedience.

The consciousness of His will is revealed to us according to the measure of our desire and ability to obey once it is revealed. This comes only by the Holy Spirit. As we learn to Wait upon the Lord, He is able to embed in us these faculties. Thus, we are enabled to share His life with others.

"He doth work for those that wait for Him"
Isaiah 64:4 (Youngs Translation).