It is instructive and helpful to study the Scriptural admonition to wait on the Lord, and encouraging to note the rich blessings promised to those who do this. Such should be undertaken with the understanding that divine Love has already given all good, and that it is our individual task, with earnest desire, to act in accordance with God's will. Then our consecrated effort cannot but witness to and culminate in the unfoldment of harmony, happiness, and abundance in daily life.
A generally accepted signification of the verb "to wait" has encouraged its use in a passive, rather than an active sense. The word has, however, another meaning. The Psalmist says, "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." A dictionary defines "waiting," in part, as being expectant, or on the watch, serving as attendant. The root meaning of "wait" is "to watch." So, the Psalmist's words might be paraphrased, "Look unto God, serve Him: watch, for He is thy strength."
John Milton, the poet, wrote, "They also serve who only stand and wait." But perhaps he only dimly realized the truth contained in his own profound statement. For in active waiting is service of the highest order, since it includes watchfulness, standing on guard against the general human belief in the power and reality of evil. Such waiting involves looking "unto God" continually, following the Way-shower, Christ Jesus, the Exemplar, in our daily life, and acknowledging God as the divine Principle, Mind, creator, and His creation as the spiritual universe including man, His highest idea, made in His image and likeness. This, the real man, is not mortal, erring, sick, sorrowing, discouraged; he is spiritual, knowing God as his Life, his intelligence, his protection, the one source of right activity and abundance.
