"Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it..." (Ps 37:34, KJV).

(A) Background

David was troubled on every side, yet he had the faith to say, when things are troubling all around you, when things are run by evil men, when things look like you are being brought down by the enemy, wait on the Lord and keep his way.

(B) Faith Lesson

But what does "wait" on the Lord mean?

Wait does not mean to sit around expecting the Lord to do something to change your situation. This is a popular misunderstanding about this term in the Bible. When we say "wait" in the Old Testament sense it could mean to be busy serving the Lord - almost the opposite of what we think of today.

However, to "wait on" the Lord here in Psalm 37 is to have that mindset that no matter what happens, I'm going to continue...

Continue to pray.
Continue to read the Scriptures.
Continue to meditate on the Word.
Continue to study the Bible.
Continue to share the Lord with others.
Continue to be open to His leading.
Continue to be open to His will.
Continue to be led by the Spirit.
Continue to die to self and live unto God.
Continue to minister.
Continue to desire God above all else...

(C) Life Application

How often do we fall short of this wise counsel? 

When I am in trouble, what do I do? Do I go further from God, or do I wait on Him?

Jerry is a bi-vocational, helping pastor-teacher, Christian life coach, TESOL trainer & manager, author, and freelance writer, with degrees in Christian education, teaching-English, business, theology, and divinity, currently residing in the Philippines. His interests include practical theology.