The Reward of Waiting on the Lord

Isaiah 49:23 "Kings shall be your foster fathers, And their queens your nursing mothers; They shall bow down to you with their faces to the earth, And lick up the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am the Lord, For they shall not be ashamed who wait for Me."

Waiting is one of the hardest things we can be asked to do. In a world that often values quick results and immediate gratification, the idea of waiting—especially when it feels like your dreams are slipping further away—can seem agonizing. However, Isaiah 49:23 reminds us that those who wait on the Lord will never be disappointed. God’s timing and plans are far greater than anything we can imagine, and those who trust Him in the waiting will ultimately experience the fullness of His faithfulness.

This scripture paints a powerful image of honor and restoration. God promises His people that those in power—kings and queens—will become servants and caretakers to them. It’s an expression of God’s ability to not only restore His people but to elevate them in ways that seem unimaginable. But the promise is specifically to those who wait on the Lord. It is in the waiting, in the patience, that we experience God’s transformative work in our lives.

Luka Modrić: A Modern-Day Story of Waiting

A modern illustration of this biblical principle is found in the inspiring story of Luka Modrić, the Croatian footballer who has achieved global recognition. His life echoes the message in Isaiah 49:23—that those who wait, with patience and perseverance, will ultimately see God's plan unfold in ways they never anticipated.

Modrić grew up during a tumultuous period in Croatia, facing the dangers and disruptions caused by the Croatian War of Independence. His family was displaced, and he experienced tremendous hardship during his childhood. In such an environment, it would have been easy for him to lose hope, to abandon his dreams of becoming a professional footballer. The challenges were immense, and his journey was delayed by circumstances beyond his control.

Yet, despite the setbacks, Modrić chose to wait and trust the process. He remained steadfast, focused on his passion for football, and did not allow the difficulties of his youth to deter him. After years of perseverance, Modrić rose through the ranks of professional football, eventually leading the Croatian national team and winning the prestigious Ballon d'Or in 2018, an award given to the best footballer in the world.

Modrić’s story of waiting is an inspiring example of the reward that comes from trusting in the process and not losing faith during times of adversity. His life exemplifies the truth of Isaiah 49:23—those who wait on the Lord, trusting Him through the difficulties, will not be disappointed.

The Challenge and Beauty of Waiting on the Lord

Waiting on the Lord requires faith, patience, and resilience. In moments of waiting, when it seems like our dreams are deferred or our efforts are not yielding results, it's easy to feel discouraged. But God uses these periods of waiting to refine us, deepen our faith, and prepare us for the greater plans He has in store. Like Modrić, we may not immediately see the fruits of our labor, but by trusting in God’s timing, we position ourselves to receive far more than we could have imagined.

God's promise in Isaiah 49:23 is profound: those who wait for Him will not be put to shame. This means that, while the world may scoff at the idea of waiting or ridicule us for holding onto faith during difficult seasons, God assures us that our trust in Him will be honored. Just as kings and queens would bow down in reverence, God’s restoration will be greater than anything we have lost.

When we wait on the Lord, it’s not passive. It’s an active process of trusting, growing, and preparing for what God has ahead. The waiting period becomes a space where our character is refined, our strength is renewed, and our dependence on God deepens. Through it all, we learn that God's timing is always perfect—even when it looks different from our own expectations.

Reflections on Patience and Divine Timing

Consider areas in your own life where you may be experiencing a season of waiting. Perhaps you're waiting for a breakthrough in your career, a restored relationship, or clarity in a decision. Waiting can often feel like a period of inactivity, but it's during these times that God is working behind the scenes, orchestrating things in ways that we cannot yet see.

Are there dreams or desires that seem delayed or even impossible? Reflect on how the assurance of God’s promise—that those who wait for Him will not be ashamed—can shape the way you approach your current circumstances. Like Luka Modrić, who waited through years of difficulty before achieving his dreams, we too can find hope in the knowledge that God’s timing is always perfect.

Waiting on the Lord requires patience and trust, but the reward is worth every moment. When we embrace a mindset of waiting on God, we open ourselves to outcomes that far exceed our initial hopes and expectations. And in the end, we will know, just as God promises, that we were never forgotten, never forsaken, and never disappointed in Him.

Reflection

Think about a moment in your life where waiting on God seemed difficult, or even impossible. What did that experience teach you about faith, patience, and perseverance? And how might you approach future seasons of waiting with a renewed sense of trust in God’s perfect timing? As you reflect, ask God for the strength to endure and the wisdom to recognize the beauty in waiting for His plans to unfold.