Psalm 103:5  – “I trust in the LORD, my soul waits for His word.”

Today, as I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God, a thought that challenged me filled my mind.   It originated from the translation of Aramaic to English in Psalm 130:5. The KJV renders it, “In His Word do I hope.”

The Holy Spirit tugged at my heart about waiting and especially waiting “for” not just “on” God’s Word.   Waiting is not something most of us do well.   We live in a microwave, instant-everything world. We want it immediately, if not sooner.

Psam 119:38 – “Strengthen Thy Word unto Thy servant, who is devoted to Thee.”    How do you strengthen the Word of God?   Hebrews 4:12 makes that seem implausible because of the incredibleness of the Word of God.   If we understand “strengthen” to be to increase its importance, it becomes powerful.

Psalm 119:82 – “My eyes WAIT for Thy Word…”

Psalm 119:105 – “Thy Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Psalm 119:140 – “Thy Word is very pure…”

Psalm 119:160 – “The foundation of Thy Word is truth…”

I wonder how often we confuse what we want God to say with what He actually says.   Then we wait “on” for the fulfillment of what we hope He said, repeating it enough we believe He said it rather than waiting “for” the Word.

When we think we have heard God, we need to examine that Word (test it).  Is it in Harmony with the written Word of God?   Is it in Harmony with the revealed nature and character of God?  Does it move us to deeper submission to Him?  If it contains a promise, prophecy, or provision, what is its objective?  Is there any room in it for selfishness and being focused on self? Is it 100% kingdom-focused?

It is easy to be deceived into believing that what we hope for is what God is saying and then waste our valuable time waiting “on” its fulfillment.   If God did not say it, He won’t provide it.   We may alter our lives waiting “on” it rather than waiting “for” His Word.   There must be no hint of self in the perceived Word.   We must empty ourselves of self so that we can receive His Word, no matter what that Word is.

I’m waiting “for” and hoping “in” His Word.   I desire His Word to be strengthened in and to me. I long for the Word to illuminate my pathway and expose all the lurking dangers.   I know that God’s Word is pure and will always penetrate to the foundations of my heart.

Each Word that we believe we have received must be tested by the Word and Spirit of God, and our hearts examined.   Waiting “on” the Word God did not give prevents us from being aware of the need to wait “for” the Word of God. Waiting on false hope hinders our growth and opens us to deception.

Remember Psalm 119:140 – “Thy Word is very pure…”    It always moves us toward transformation, not selfish gratification.   Lord, send your Word and countermand all words You have not sent.   Expose the lies we have believed and enable us to patiently listen “for” Your Word, then embrace and act upon it.

Father, help us to divest ourselves of self in our prayers and surrender fully to You, even if it is not what we wanted You to say!