Students understand the principle very well, as they endure the period between completion of exams and the arrival of results. Job applicants have also experienced the same principle, as they await a call from an employer after having been through an interview. So too those who have undergone medical tests, and have to wait for the results. The course of the future depends on waiting. Nothing else to be done unless and until someone else makes and conveys a decision.

Though we all carry a measure of impatience, in such circumstances we are prepared to wait because we know the importance of the decision, we know that the implications are significant, and we know that it cannot be rushed. How much more then should we be prepared to wait on God?

Isaiah outlines the benefit of waiting upon God: "but those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (40:31) What a tremendous promise of reward, yet how often are we prepared to wait on God? Too often prayer is an afterthought, or such a matter of urgency that we want the answer 'yesterday'.

In other aspects of life we have learned to accept the need to wait - for decisions which have significant impact on our life's direction. We leave the results in the hands of another person. How much more should we be prepared to wait on God, whose promise is that all things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose?

We need a hunger for God that is prepared to wait for Him, to listen intently to hear His voice of guidance. To wait and trust in Him for direction.