WAIT PATIENTLY

“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!” Psalm 37:7

I have been doing a short study in my Youversion app called Rest for the Soul and this verse is quoted daily. I also keep having the word “wait” show up in other things that I hear and study. Ohh that is a little scary to me because I wonder what it is that God is telling me to wait for? I do often find that when I see or hear a theme coming up in my heart that it is often preparing me for something that will come along soon. But it could also mean that some of the things I am praying for now will find me sitting in a waiting room for the answers. I also have not had clear direction on which way to turn for these devotions or maybe I have? Maybe studying the waiting room is exactly which way I am to turn? 

As I like to do when I am studying a particular passage I went to my commentary to see what people way smarter than me have to say about it. First of all it is believed that David penned this Psalm in his later years. This would be after he had the benefit of having waited out becoming king. He had already gone through all of the running from Saul and he had become King. He had already enjoyed his position and was looking back. Maybe he was talking to himself, because we know that just because David became king did not mean that he was free of trials and trouble. Some at his own doing and disobedience and some at the doings of others. This could have been a pep talk for himself or it could have been counsel for someone else. 

This entire Psalm is meant to encourage its reader not to worry or fret over those who are walking in evil, or to get caught up in the worries of life. But to wait for the Lord to act on our behalf. We are to remember what He has done for us in the past and to look to him for deliverance. 

Even though I have a long history now of walking with the Lord, I also know how hard this waiting room can be sometimes. I know too that if I move away from my time with the Lord and do not have my focus on Him, but I am focusing on my worries and my fear how fast anxiety can get hold of my heart and I will feel as if I am spiraling in the thoughts in my head. 

This waiting, this being still, David makes it sound so easy doesn’t he? I think it comes with the benefit of history. Yes, but even then it can be hard. When you are waiting for that diagnosis, for that job offer, for that relationship to turn around, sometimes it can seem like an eternity. That’s why we must have Him as our focal point. Several months ago I was in the middle of a particularly hard time. I was watching someone I love have to bear the consequences of some bad decisions, and having to watch their wrestling with God over them. My heart was heavy and hurting for the situations at hand. I knew that the circumstances would have to turn one way or another, but at the time I was just not sure which way or another they would turn. For me, music plays a big part in steadying me when I am in a state of waiting which turns to worrying and fretting really quickly. So I found myself constantly singing in my head that old hymn. 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, 

Look full in his wonderful face, 

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of his glory and grace! 

My friends I don’t know what you are waiting for today. But what I do know is that turning your eyes on Him is the way to get through it. Won’t you do that today? Turn your eyes to Him and let the things of earth grown strangely dim and gaze on His glory and grace!