Waiting Patiently for God
Colin Hickley
Get your Bible and read Psalm 40 v 1 – 10
As I write, we have completed 130 days of Covid-19 lockdown. Whilst some restrictions have been eased others have been delayed or even reversed in areas of the country that are seeing a further spike in cases.
How are your patience levels? I guess most of us just wish it was all over and things were ‘back to normal’ – whatever that is?
We are impatient to do the many things we have been prevented from doing over the last 4 months and whilst we can now do some of these things again they have become much more difficult and complicated – getting together in our homes with family and friends – returning to work and school – being able to freely go to restaurants, cinemas and theatres – going on holiday – returning to Church.
The Church Leaders have met a couple of times (via Zoom) over the last few weeks to consider returning to Church. Our hearts are impatient to return but our heads know there are many practical things to consider and the decisions are by no means easy ones. You will hear more about are thinking over coming days and have the opportunity to share your thoughts – please do as knowing your views is vital.
Away from Covid-19, we all have things in our lives that we are impatient about – ours and our family’s health, family conflict, work situations, where we live, our futures and those of our children and grand-children – to name only a few.
Whilst to some extent Covid-19 has forced the world to change it’s thinking, at least in the short term, in general though we don’t live in a very patient world. The world expects things to be happen now and be available 24/7. Whether its same-day or next day delivery on anything we want to buy or the constant availability of fast food from delivery companies or the microwave. Much of our impatience is driven by the dominance of technology in so many areas of our lives. Everything should happen at the touch of a button!
Are you a patient person? How are you when driving? How are you with queuing? How are you with people that do things slower than you – especially if they are holding you up? If we are honest most of us can get pretty impatient at times.
People in the Bible were no different – the Disciples were impatient with the children in Matthew 19, they were impatient with the crowd that needed feeding in Mark 6 and Moses was impatient to get things done (but not as God had instructed) by striking the rock with his staff in Numbers 20. Not to mention the family of Lazarus and Jairus – you will think of many other examples I’m sure…
In an instant world, there is a danger that we think that God works in the same way. He does sometimes but at other times He asks us to be patient – to wait on Him – His timing is perfect.
Now I am not suggesting that waiting patiently for God is easy or that I in anyway have got it cracked – because I haven’t. We all have so many issues in our lives that we want resolved and plans we want to make. Waiting on God is especially difficult if we are facing hard times with health, relationships, children, jobs, money… We want answers now! As Christians, God does not make us immune from these life issues, but he does teach us how to react to them.
In our Bible reading David is in trouble, we do not know exactly what trouble, but he is in a ‘slimy pit of mud and mire’ – so it seems likely it was pretty bad. Yet we read (v1) that David waited patiently for the Lord.
God turned towards David and heard his cry (v1) – David received 3 benefits from waiting patiently for God:
He was lifted out of his despair – God lifted David out of the slimy pit that he was in
- His feet were set on rock – God put David on a firm place to stand
- A new song was put in his mouth – God gave David a new hymn of praise for his Lord
We do not know how God resolved David’s issue or how God used the situation David was in to fulfil His will through David. We do know though that David’s situation was transformed, his perspective changed, and he was able to praise God for his deliverance.
None of us likes to endure difficult times or would dare request them although it is often only through patiently waiting on God that we receive His blessing. When we find ourselves in the pit of mud and mire it is then that God often chooses to reveal His will and purpose to us.
God will use the bad things that happen to us and use them for our good
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8 v 28).
It doesn’t say that everything that happens to us will be good, but it does say that God will use all situations we face for good.
David knew that God would come to his rescue – Why? – Because He had done it many times before. In verse 5, David extols the wonders that God has done and acknowledges the plans He has for him.
For those of us who love Him, God will come to our rescue as we wait patiently on Him. God has a plan and purpose for each one of us, which will be fulfilled.
We will be blessed as we trust in our Lord (v4)
None can compare with God; were we to speak and tell of His deeds, they would be too many to declare (v5).
So how can we learn to be patient?
We can choose to see things from God’s point of view – It is so easy to limit our problems to our own strength and understanding. In God’s strength our problems are as nothing. He knows the future He has in store for us
We can choose to see things from the other person’s point of view – How often is our impatience caused by or selfish attitude? We only see the world in our terms. I’m the centre of the universe! How is the other person feeling, what are their concerns and struggles?
We can choose to love – 1 Corinthians 13 the famous chapter on love lists it first quality as patience – love is patient, kind, does not envy or boast, isn’t proud or rude… When we choose to love we also chose to be patient to put the needs of others ahead of our own. Paul reminds us, we are the body of Christ – With patience bear with one another in love (Ephesians 4 v 2) – What a witness it is if we are patient with each other.
We can choose to focus on the hope we have in Jesus – So much impatience in the world is caused by a lack of hope for the future. Our hope in Jesus is such an antidote to impatience.
We have hope because:
God is watching over us – So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41 v 10).
God’s purpose is being worked out in us – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29 v11).
God is patient with us – The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3 v 9).
What should we do while we wait patiently on the Lord?
Be obedient – our sacrifice and offerings are meaningless unless we are obedient in our service to God (v6). The Prophet Samuel told Saul ‘Obedience is better than sacrifice’ (1 Samuel 15 v 22). God desires obedience and life-long service from those that love Him.
Do His will – Do we desire to do God’s will by having God’s Law in our heart? (v8). This will only happen if we regularly read the Bible, meditate upon it and spend time in prayer.
Speak of God’s faithfulness – (v9) Are we active in telling of God’s salvation and faithfulness? If God’s faithfulness has changed your life why wouldn’t you tell others? You’d recommend a good restaurant, film or plumber wouldn’t you and how much more important is this?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you that you have a plan for my life and that my future is in your loving care. Forgive me for when I do not patiently wait on you but try to rush ahead. Help me to learn to wait patiently on you so that I may know the blessing you have in store for me in doing so. While I wait on you, help me to be obedient in doing your will and faithful in reading your Word and Prayer. My hope is in You and Your Power & Strength. I choose to see things from Your point of view. I choose to love others in Your Strength.
Amen
1 thought on “Waiting Patiently for God”
Thanks Colin another reminder of Gods timing not ours. May we continue to wait patiently on Him in all we do.
Amen