Waiting seems to be a consistent part of the post-pandemic “new normal.” Supply chain delays, getting appointments with medical providers, even a meal in a restaurant … we have to wait for someone to do something and we have no control over when or how they do it.

Then there’s “chronic waiting” — months maybe years, waiting for a serious life or health issue to be resolved, for someone’s heart to change, for the promised promotion to materialize … While we wait, our faith and trust in the Lord are challenged. The enemy of our souls tries to drag us into despair and hopelessness, and too often we let him.

Israel waited for Messiah to come for centuries. Micah, one of the last recorded prophetic voices in the Old Testament, clearly spoke of how the prolonged wait affected him and his nation. In chapter 7, the final chapter of the book, Micah laments the current national condition. Then he says, “But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” (7:7) Then he declares that God will bring justice, righteousness and vindication to the land and restore His people … he has HOPE! His final words are praise for God’s steadfast love and compassion.

What is God’s purpose for these seasons of waiting?

Like Micah, we can define our circumstances and situations … the micro (specific to each of us individually) to the macro (conditions of the state, nation and world) in detail. The whole book of Micah is full of laments, warnings but he also gives words of hope.

It seems to me that Micah shows us God’s purpose for seasons of waiting: The Lord wants us to turn to Him in faith, hope and trust.

In Psalm 37, King David gives us practical advice on how to “look to the Lord” when we are in His waiting room. “Don’t fret because of evildoers … Trust in the Lord … Delight yourself in the Lord … Commit your way to the Lord” and “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” We DO fret. We DON’T trust like we should or delight in Him. If you’re like me, you DO commit your way to the Lord — but then take it back because life is not going the way you want it to or thought it would.

The fix for that is acknowledging our wrong doing, wrong thinking and wrong believing (that’s repentance), turning to the Lord and accepting His forgiveness.

King David also reminds us who our God is, and gives us language to rejoice in and praise Him for His faithfulness. “The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them because they take refuge in Him.” (37:39, 40)

I’m currently waiting for the Lord to clarify His plan for the next phase of my life. As I pondered Micah’s and King David’s words, I realized that “waiting” doesn’t mean being stuck or idle. I have commitments to fulfill, chores do to, people to connect with. Micah and King David remind me to praise and thank the Lord for His provision for today, and not fret about anything or what anyone else is (or is not) doing. That has given me freedom to enjoy every moment of every day for what it is — not what I think it ought to be, wish it was, or hoped it would be. And that gives me joy and peace.

Victoria Van Couveirng is director of Women’s Ministry at Craig Christian Church. She can be reached at victoria_van_c@yahoo.com.