It's In The Waiting: Patience, Humility, And The Presence of God

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZYrpscLOws

One of the things I love about the book of Psalms is how honest it is. So many of the Psalms begin with frustration, confusion, or waiting, and yet they almost always end in worship. They start with, “Lord, where are You?” and finish with, “But You are faithful.” That tells us something about how God works. Waiting is not wasted time. Waiting is often where worship is formed.

When Scripture gives us a picture of worship, the clearest images are found in heaven. In Revelation, we see the throne room of God, where worship never stops. Day and night, heaven responds to who Jesus is. Revelation 4:8 says, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.” Revelation 5:12 declares, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise.” Worship in heaven is always a response to revelation. God reveals Himself, and worship is the natural response.

That’s true for us as well. Worship is our response to what we know about God. When we see Him clearly, we respond differently. When we understand who He is, our praise deepens. This is why repetition in worship matters. Heaven never gets tired of saying “holy.” Love never gets tired of saying “I love you.” When something becomes real to you, you don’t get bored with it. You grow in it.

Psalm 40 gives us a powerful picture of this process. David writes, “I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry” (Psalm 40:1). Waiting is not passive. Waiting is worship. Waiting is humility. Waiting is choosing to bend our knee before God and say, “I trust You with Your timing.” Humility always precedes breakthrough.

We often want quick encounters and fast answers. We want worship on our schedule. But intimacy with God is not rushed. Revelation 4:1 speaks of an open door into heaven. We are invited into His presence, but entering that place requires patience. God is holy. He is worthy. He is not in a hurry. He is forming something in us while we wait.

Psalm 40 continues, “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God” (Psalm 40:3). When we wait on the Lord, He lifts us. He establishes us. Then He gives us new worship. If you’re struggling to worship, it may be because you’re still in the process of being lifted out of something. God is faithful to complete that work.

Waiting also develops our character. Patience is not just about time. Patience is about who we become while we wait. Galatians tells us that patience is a fruit of the Spirit. It grows. It matures. It forms in us. Humility comes from learning to stay before God long enough for Him to shape us.

James 1:21 tells us to “receive the implanted word.” God’s Word grows in us like a seed. It bears fruit in its season. Nothing healthy grows instantly. Even bamboo takes years to build its root system before it grows rapidly. God is often doing deep work in us before anything visible appears.

We see this clearly in Acts 2. Before Pentecost, 120 believers waited in prayer and fasting. They didn’t know when God would move. They only knew that He promised He would. Then suddenly, the Spirit came. Breakthrough followed waiting.

So many of us want the “suddenly” without the season that prepares for it. But God values the process. He values humility. He values hunger. He values perseverance in His presence.

Waiting also keeps us grounded in gratitude. When we wait, we remember what God has already done. David remembered the lion and the bear before facing Goliath. We remember past deliverances. We remember past healings. We remember how God has rescued us. That remembrance fuels fresh faith.

Psalm 40 says, “He lifted me out of the pit… and set my feet on a rock” (Psalm 40:2). God does not leave us stuck. He rescues. He restores. He establishes. He places us on Himself, the Rock of revelation. From that place, worship flows naturally.

Those who have been rescued cannot stay silent. Humility doesn’t quiet our voice. It strengthens it. When we know what God has done, we speak of His faithfulness. We testify to His goodness. We declare His works.

Waiting teaches us to trust God’s love. 1 Corinthians 13 tells us that love is patient. God is patient with us. He stands at the door and knocks. He waits. He invites. He does not force. He forms.

Jesus Himself modeled this. Hebrews 12:2 says that “for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross.” His waiting began at the whipping post. His patience led to resurrection. His endurance released salvation.

When we learn to wait like Jesus waited, we learn to worship like heaven worships. We learn to respond to revelation. We learn to value presence. We learn to trust timing. We learn to live surrendered.

Waiting is not delay. Waiting is development. Waiting is discipleship. Waiting is worship.

And when we wait patiently for the Lord, He always turns toward us. He always hears. He always lifts. He always speaks. He always gives a new song.

It’s in the waiting.

These teachings are part of our commitment to help people grow in Christ and walk in freedom, purpose, and power through the Holy Spirit.

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