“Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the LORD.”
Psalm 27:14
Wait… a word often spoken in Scripture, a word often passed by, because I’m too busy being in a hurry. I know this is a big issue for me because it keeps getting brought to my attention.
This morning as I read this verse, a long line of circumstances from the past presented themselves as examples of when I did not wait. I come from a people of hasty ways, who need solutions yesterday. We have instant oatmeal and coffee, information and entertainment on demand. Our humanistic culture has trained us to believe we have the answers and a fix for everything, right this minute. When I have a problem, I not only believe I can jump in to fix it, I feel I am obligated to do so. To do any less would seem irresponsible, lazy, apathetic, or incapable.
But these are not God’s ways, or His mind. The Scripture is full of stories of those who were given a promise, and told to wait. Some did, some did not. Many unfortunate things happened when humans forged ahead in their own strength and wisdom. And I can attest to these consequences so well myself. Even when everything eventually turns out fine in spite of my hastiness, I sometimes cringe at in my foolishness, when I realize too late I did not wait on the Lord.
Faith is most certainly demonstrated by acting on and obeying the Lord’s directives for us. But I forget that action must sometimes be preceded by a season of waiting – a completely foreign concept to modern man. By waiting we show that we…
* don’t trust in our own understanding, talents, resources, etc…
* don’t trust in other people
* believe in the goodness of God toward us, His Promise in Christ
* believe God hears and will answer
* believe He can provide a way we cannot see
* understand His ways are higher and more reliable
* do not waver based on our circumstances, but stand on His Word.
Obedient action is a fruit of faith, but then also is waiting. There is no playbook or flow chart that teaches us when to do either one. We must walk in the Spirit, day by day, step by step. I must even submit my faulty “hearing” to the Lord and trust Him even when the way is not clear at times. The point is that HE is central in my thoughts and decision, not my own wisdom or desires.
When obstacles and trials rise up in our path, we can attack them in our self-confidence and jump too quickly. God in His mercy and foreknowledge still uses our presumptuous actions in our lives for good, but there is a better way. Wait on the Lord. Seek His face. Wait some more. Listen. When God shows up, it may seem late to us (like Lazarus), but those who see His hand will stand in awe of His awesome power, wisdom, timing. He will be glorified, and we filled with praise and wonder. The most wonderful thing is that no human can take credit for anything when God moves.
If we can see this end, the expectancy in the waiting will help sustain us. His timing may be in the here and now, months, years, or in eternity at the final culmination of the Promise, when we see all enemies put under His feet. He has a plan and a purpose in the waiting just as much as in the answer. Oh Lord, teach us to watch and wait.
My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him. God is a refuge for us.
Psalm 62:5-8
8thDay4Life 
“Wait” for me has seemed almost like a four letter word in the past. It is a slow learned process to wait and to know when to wait as you said so eloguently. Any time we are in a season of waiting, in our natural, we experience a degree of anxiety. Until, and when we see the Lord clearly and wait for Him to lead us. Thank you for sharing this timely message. One that many of us needs to hear often.
Me, too, Gr8Day2save!
I think you will like this:
‘On His Blindness’ by John Milton (1608-1674)
When I consider how my light is spent
Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,
And that one Talent which is death to hide,
Lodged with me useless, though my Soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest he returning chide,
“Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?”
I fondly ask; but Patience to prevent
That murmur, soon replies: “God doth not need
Either man’s work or his own gifts, who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best, his State
Is Kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed
And post o’er Land and Ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and wait.”
I learned it as a teenager, but am only starting to understand now, at age 34. 🙂
Love your blog and the encouragement. It has been one of the factors that has helped me make sense of the whole Sabbath/Hebrew Roots movement and I am stronger in my faith than ever before, having worked through it and come out the other end as you did. God bless you!
My modern American English brain had to strain on that poem, but yes – it’s great! Thank you so much for sharing it, and your journey. My burning desire is for people to see Jesus as our everything. If anything I write is used to that affect, Praise God!!! I know I fall short of that so often with my own opinions and feelings in the way – but He has done so much for me, I just cannot keep silent. Blessings in Christ to you sister!