Psalm 40:1(KJV)
I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
King David wrote this Psalm and his experience was a conflict, personal failure, and family strife, yet God gave him a place to stand. He recalled a hopeless and helpless situation he had fallen into, and how he waited on the Lord and God hearing his cry. He was a man who knew a lot about learning to be patient in the midst of extreme hardship. As a teenage boy, he was anointed king of Israel by the prophet Samuel, only to then wait many years to see it come to pass. So, when David says, I waited patiently for the Lord and He heard my cry, he knew what he was talking about.
Although waiting can be hard for most believers, it has benefits. Waiting on the Lord includes prayer, fasting and usually, patience which is where most believers miss it. During waiting we jiggle our thumbs, shamble our feet, suffocate our yawns, jack up long sighs, and fret inwardly in frustration. However, waiting is one of life’s best teachers for in it we learn the virtue of patience. It’s in waiting that we develop endurance, the ability to trust God’s love and goodness, even when things are not going our way. In Job 14:14 Job said “…….all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change comes.” We wait in hope, knowing that God will deliver us in due time because in waiting God works in us and for us. Champions and winners accomplish very impossible things because they never give up or buckle under pressure despite mounting criticism, intense opposition and overwhelming obstacles. They refuse to throw in the towel until there is a change. In times of difficulty, we too can look to our powerful God for the stability only He brings. Edward Mote wrote “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’s blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’s name. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand—all other ground is sinking sand.”
Beloved, put God first always and wait patiently upon Him in every area of your life and He will never disappoint you. You might be going through extreme hardship but as David waited to see the promise so must you wait for surely your appointed time will also come. No matter what trials you are facing today, God is faithful. Trust that God will make way where there seems to be no way. No matter what is happening right now choose the path of life and blessings – praise, gratitude, thanksgiving, and planting yourself in His Word. As you continue to look to Him to fulfill all the promises He has made to you, may you find strength and encouragement in His Word. The Bible says in Isaiah 40:31″those who wait upon God will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” When your path is winding with curves, unplanned twists and your race is slow, remember the race is not for the swift nor the battle for the strong but the Lord shows mercy. Do not be discouraged in waiting for your time is coming. Resist discouragement, depression, despair and endure in the battle until your change comes. Continue to wait patiently for the Lord for He has heard your cry. He will put a new song in your mouth.
O Lord, thank You for Your Word today, strengthen me in time of waiting on You in Jesus’ Name.