Hope for the Best

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His Word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord. Psalm 130:5-6

Hope for the Best

To wait on the Lord means to hope in Him. To hope in the Lord means to trust in His goodness and expect a positive outcome, in His perfect timing. It means to hope for the best since we know that Jesus knows best. This hopeful expectation is rooted in our knowledge and faith in Jesus. To be able to wait on the Lord, we must first believe the Gospel and find our ultimate hope in Him. We must believe who God is and what Jesus has accomplished through His perfect life, death on the cross, and resurrection: our salvation! What a grand hope we have in Jesus! We must also believe that the Lord is able to accomplish far beyond what we could ever ask or think (Eph 3:20). So, if Jesus is your Savior, you can always hope for the best! Because Jesus always knows what's best.

Confident Prayers

To wait on the Lord means to be confident in our prayers, not doubting His goodness, timing, or plan. It means to be confident that He hears us. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us (1 John 5:14). It means to be confident that He will supply our every need, give us the wisdom we ask for, and make our paths straight (Phil 4:19, James 1:5, Prov 3:6).

Active Patience

To wait on the Lord, means to be patient. This doesn't mean that we sit around and wait passively or in idleness. Rather, we are to wait actively on Him. Active waiting is making good use of our time while we're in God's waiting room. Active waiting means trusting Him, seeking Him in His Word, and praying to Him. When we actively wait, the Lord strengthens our faith and brings peace and stability to our hearts (Phil 4:7, Ps 27:4). When we actively wait, the Lord renews our strength (Is 40:31).

“I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in Him” (Psalm 40:1-3). This passage also illustrates that waiting on the Lord also serves as a testimony to others. Waiting on the Lord points others to Jesus when they see that our hope is in Him. And as a result, they may be more inclined to believe the Gospel and find their ultimate hope in Jesus too.

Wait on the LORD!

At times, we may feel as if the Lord doesn't hear our cries or prayers. Regardless of our ever-changing feelings, we can still place our full confidence and hope in Jesus, who never changes. For we know who Jesus is and what He's done for us already! He’s gifted us with eternal life, by grace through faith. Therefore, we can always wait on the Lord with eager anticipation, knowing that He is always near us, He always hears us, and He is always in control. We can wait on the Lord knowing He will fulfill His promises, deliver us, and save us just like He says (Jer 15:21, Ps 50:15). We can wait on the Lord knowing He is working all things together for His glory and our benefit, even when we can't perceive it. Remember, we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor 5:7) Therefore, trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Since our hope is in Jesus Christ alone, we can learn to wait on the Lord with a peaceful heart and joyful confidence, knowing that at the right time, He will make it happen! (Isaiah 60:22). Jesus is our ultimate hope. Jesus knows what's best for us. So we can always hope for the best!

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At the right time, I the LORD will make it happen. Isaiah 60:22

Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! Psalm 27:14

Yet those who wait on the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31