Bible: 5 Poetic Books

Lesson 3: Psalms, part one: POSITIVE Power and Passion

Waiting for God

It's a world of instant gratification that we live in. The attention spans of our children seem to lessen with each new technological advancement, video game and music video. We need to have it now, our way, say the commercials.

No wonder then, that the hardest act for us to undertake is to wait for God. Once we confess our sin and ask for His help and guidance, we must remember that God will do things on HIS schedule, not according to our own.

A Christian who places faith in God knows that all things shall pass. There is a peace in knowing that while you are enduring strife, God is there and this new controversy, however bad it may seem, shall pass away as well. Waiting in the Lord then, is not full of anxiety or stress; there is a peace there that calms us:

Psalm 28

Of David.

1 To you I call, O LORD my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit. 2 Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.

[Here, the psalmist, David, has a note of desperation in his prayer. He knows to call out to God, but his human side wants to hear from God NOW, right this moment. God still understands. He wants us to be patient, but He also knows our human side. Even for David, who seems to be in a hurry to hear from God, He grants his protection: ]

6 Praise be to the LORD , for he has heard my cry for mercy. 7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

[Keeping in mind that what we want for ourselves is not always what God wants for us, we can wait on God knowing that He hears our prayers, knowing that He knows what's best. There is a great peace in knowing that we have the protection of the LORD, that He is our "strength and shield". When David writes, "my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy", it doesn't make sense to the nonbeliever. How can you be joyful just waiting on the LORD? But David understands. He knows that being able to put trust in God brings peace, even before we hear back from God. Waiting can be joyful!]

8 The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. 9 Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.

[Again, the image of God as a fortress, within whose walls we can wait (for dangers to pass by) and find safety. Again, we see the shepherd image. A shepherd takes care of the sheep. If the sheep are patient, the shepherd will lead them to pasture and to drinking water. If they are impatient, they may lead themselves over a cliff! There is great comfort knowing that we can wait in the LORD while waiting to hear from the LORD!]

Is there some area of your life where you have not been as patient as you could be? Pen a prayer right now, asking God to fill you with joy and peace while you wait to see the final outcome, while you wait for his blessing and guidance.

The very act of writing words to God may bring peace and joy in and of itself when you stop to contemplate how much He has done for you already.

Concentrate on the shepherd or fortress image; explain what God is to you in your life. How does it compare to these two images?

As for me, I'm a teacher. To me, God is the ultimate teacher, who always has the best examples, if we will only WAIT on Him and listen...it's a lesson I've had to relearn again and again. What a blessing that God is so patient with us!

Psalm 31 says it nicely:

3 Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. 4 Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. 5 Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD , the God of truth.

"Into your hands I commit my spirit"--once we can say that, we'll find great peace and joy, Waiting for GOD!

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