I am as strong now as I was when Moses sent me on that journey, and I can still travel and fight as well as I could then. So give me all the hill country that the Lord promised me. – Joshua 14:11-12
INTRODUCTION
“Waiting on God” is a phrase often used in a spiritual or religious context to refer to the act of patiently and trustingly relying on God’s timing, guidance, and intervention. It involves recognizing that God has a plan and purpose for our lives and choosing to wait patiently for Him to act rather than relying solely on our own efforts or rushing ahead.
CALEB REQUESTS HIS LAND – JOSHUA 14:6-15
Joshua 14:6-15 recounts the story of Caleb, one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. This passage highlights Caleb’s faithfulness and his request for the land promised to him by God.
As one of the original scouts sent into the Promise Land, he saw great cities and giants, yet he knew God would help the people conquer the land. Because of Caleb’s faith, God promised him a personal inheritance of land. 45 years later, the land was given to him.
What must Caleb have thought all those years he wandered with his people in the wilderness? It wasn’t his fault Israel rebelled in fear and unbelief. He had believed.
Yet his piece of the promise was delayed just as much as the Promised Land was delayed for the rest of the nation. God had pledged to preserve his life, but forty years is a long time to wish things had been different. Every step of the way, he could easily have regretted the hard-heartedness of his peers.
Most of us live with some sense of regret. Some of us are almost eaten up with it, lamenting the lost years, wondering “what if” about misplayed moments in our lives, and wishing we could get some of those decisions back.
Caleb certainly felt regret, even though he hadn’t deserved the consequences of Israel’s rebellion. But even when our mistakes have cost us dearly, God is able to preserve us for the promise, to restore the years the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25).
When Caleb finally entered the Promised Land, he insisted on receiving the fulfillment of the promise that had been made to him. It wasn’t arrogance; he wasn’t being pushy. He was simply claiming what God had spoken to him, and had every right to do so. He had waited long enough.
Like Caleb, we must be faithful to God, not only at the start of our walk with Him, but throughout our entire lives. We should let our faith grow as we realize that God keeps His Word.
Here are a few key aspects of waiting on God:
- Trusting in God’s Wisdom: When we wait on God, we acknowledge that He knows what is best for us. We trust that His timing and plans are perfect, even when we may not understand them.“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heartand wait for the Lord” – Psalm 27:14
- Seeking God’s Guidance: Waiting on God involves seeking His guidance and direction through prayer, meditation, and studying His Word. We actively listen and pay attention to His leading, seeking His will in every decision.“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” – Psalm 32:8
- Patience and Perseverance: It can be a season of testing and refining our character, strengthening our faith, and teaching us valuable lessons. “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” – Romans 8:25.
- Surrendering Control: Waiting on God means surrendering our own agendas and desires to Him. We relinquish control and acknowledge that His ways are higher than ours. We align our hearts with His purposes and submit to His timing.“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6
- Developing a Relationship: Waiting on God provides an opportunity for us to grow closer to Him. It deepens our intimacy with God as we spend time in His presence, seeking His face rather than just seeking His hand.“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” – Psalm 65:4.
- Cultivating Contentment: While waiting on God, it’s essential to cultivate contentment and find joy in the present moment. We learn to find satisfaction in God Himself, rather than solely focusing on the fulfillment of our desires.“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” –Philippians 4:1112.
- Taking Action when Prompted: Waiting on God doesn’t mean being passive or idle. Sometimes, God prompts us to take action or make specific decisions while we wait. It’s important to discern His leading and step out in faith when He calls us to do so.“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” – James 2:14-17.
Conclusion
Life is filled with waiting, we wait for plants to grow, we wait for pregnancies to reach the time of birth, we wait to get the results of exams; etc. That’s part of living in relationship with a very patient and thorough God. But we don’t wait without purpose; we are waiting for something, and when the time comes, God suddenly fulfills what He said He would do.
We may have wondered if that day would ever come, but the Kingdom is not a place of empty promises. God means for us to receive them and rejoice in the fulfillment. And when we do, it’s as if the years didn’t matter. It’s never too late to enjoy what He has done.
Remember, waiting on God is a process that requires faith, hope, trust, and obedience even in the face of uncertainty or delays. It may not always be easy, but as we wait on Him, we can be assured that He is faithful and will fulfill His promises in His perfect timing.
Remain Blessed!
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