To strike a balance—there is a fine line between waiting and wasting, and sometimes, what we call "waiting on the Lord" can be excess or inaction disguised as faith.

I once heard the story of a young couple believing God for the fruit of the womb. According to their pastor, in the first two years of their marriage, everyone assumed the couple were simply enjoying their time together. By the third year, their pastor decided to check in. When he asked the husband how things were going, he responded, “We are waiting on the Lord.” Sensing their inaction, the pastor advised them to undergo a medical check-up. The results revealed that the wife had an infection, which had been the cause of their childlessness. The prescribed medication cost just ₦1,500. That same month, after taking the treatment, she conceived. I know three years prior, the same medication probably cost just ₦800, which is, on one hand. In the last dose, I emphasised, ‘wait for your appointed time.’ But the real question is: What should one do while waiting?

About four Sundays ago, a lady in church raised a question. She spoke about a notorious uncle in her village who openly boasted about being responsible for the family's misfortunes and untimely deaths. Her question was simple: “Is it scripturally right to wish or pray for his death?” Our pastor gave a direct and firm response: “No!” He explained that Jesus commanded us to love and pray for our enemies (Matthew 5:43–44). I must admit, I didn’t entirely agree with him. Should we wait until he takes more lives before he is removed? I silently questioned.

A week later at work, as the occasion permitted, we had one of our usual discussions with our boss—an ardent and radical student of the Word. I decided to throw the same question at him. He too had a mixed perspective on the subject, but as he spoke, my understanding deepened.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God” (2 Corinthians 10:4). As much as we contend with the forces of darkness, it is God who fights; we war through Him. Taking matters into our own hands is not heaven’s justice system (Rom. 12:19). After all, “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers” (Eph. 6:12). I heard a tragic news—the story of a woman who poisoned her stepdaughter because, according to her, the girl was a witch. I believe she’s still in prison till now.

By and large, the one way to invoke divine justice is by service: ‘stay in your lane’—the place of your assignment; actively serving. “When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people; He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes; Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm” (Psa. 105:13-15). We become untouchable because when He sends us, He goes with us, before us and behind us. The glory in the midst is also characterised by a fire roundabout (Zech. 2:5). This isn't about someone who spent the night clubbing suddenly quoting Psalm 91 when trouble arises—he wasn’t sent; he went on his own. “When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him” - Proverbs. 16:7.

The harvest is plenty, but the labourers are few! As long as we are in the sphere of our calling, we remain unassailable and indestructible. Continue serving while waiting, which is the ‘b’ part of Joel 2:8: “Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk everyone in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded”.