Wait: Trusting God When Action Feels Easier
“Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14)
Waiting is hard. Waiting feels cowardly, weak, and lazy. Shouldn’t we seize life by the horns and wrestle ourselves into the right position? Should we not do what we can to control our circumstances to bring about the outcome we think best? Should we not expend effort and prove to God that we are trying?
No, I don’t think so, dear soul. This Psalm is one of rich encouragement. There are times in life when you are surrounded by foes, when you are being sinned against, and when you have been rocked onto your heels by the hatred of the world. You want to punch back. You want to retaliate, get your revenge in, and have the last word. There are other times when you have savaged your life and that of those closest to you by sin and selfishness. Suddenly, you want to make it right. You want to fix it, but it seems like everything you do only makes the situation worse.
What are we to do? David cries out for God to teach him His way (27:11). How does God respond? “Wait for the LORD.” Waiting on the Lord is trusting God to do what He said He would do. Waiting on the LORD to act, to save, to restore, and to redeem what you or others have broken is what God calls us to do. Waiting is not cowardly. In fact, waiting requires inner strength. You sit, you remind yourself of God’s promises, you verbally trust the Lord, and you wait. You do not try to control the situation or fix the mess. Wait for God to act. This takes courage, for you are placing yourself completely in God’s hands. You are saying, “God, I don’t know what will happen, but I trust You. Whatever You deem good and necessary for my life, I trust You.”
Do not misunderstand me. There are clear acts of obedience that we must do in all of life’s situations. Obey God. Love others as you love yourself. But in regard to the outcome? Wait. Wait and stop trying to control the situation. Wait and stop trying to bring about the result you want to happen. Wait.
How do you wait? Pray. Close your mouth and let the situation unfold under the providential guidance of the Lord. Trust His timing. Trust His wisdom. Trust His promises. Cry out to God as your waiting becomes so long that you feel as if you will break. Go back to God and cry, “Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief!”
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?” (Psalm 27:1)
Do you believe this? Then wait for the LORD. He will not disappoint you
Waiting is hard. Waiting feels cowardly, weak, and lazy. Shouldn’t we seize life by the horns and wrestle ourselves into the right position? Should we not do what we can to control our circumstances to bring about the outcome we think best? Should we not expend effort and prove to God that we are trying?
No, I don’t think so, dear soul. This Psalm is one of rich encouragement. There are times in life when you are surrounded by foes, when you are being sinned against, and when you have been rocked onto your heels by the hatred of the world. You want to punch back. You want to retaliate, get your revenge in, and have the last word. There are other times when you have savaged your life and that of those closest to you by sin and selfishness. Suddenly, you want to make it right. You want to fix it, but it seems like everything you do only makes the situation worse.
What are we to do? David cries out for God to teach him His way (27:11). How does God respond? “Wait for the LORD.” Waiting on the Lord is trusting God to do what He said He would do. Waiting on the LORD to act, to save, to restore, and to redeem what you or others have broken is what God calls us to do. Waiting is not cowardly. In fact, waiting requires inner strength. You sit, you remind yourself of God’s promises, you verbally trust the Lord, and you wait. You do not try to control the situation or fix the mess. Wait for God to act. This takes courage, for you are placing yourself completely in God’s hands. You are saying, “God, I don’t know what will happen, but I trust You. Whatever You deem good and necessary for my life, I trust You.”
Do not misunderstand me. There are clear acts of obedience that we must do in all of life’s situations. Obey God. Love others as you love yourself. But in regard to the outcome? Wait. Wait and stop trying to control the situation. Wait and stop trying to bring about the result you want to happen. Wait.
How do you wait? Pray. Close your mouth and let the situation unfold under the providential guidance of the Lord. Trust His timing. Trust His wisdom. Trust His promises. Cry out to God as your waiting becomes so long that you feel as if you will break. Go back to God and cry, “Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief!”
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?” (Psalm 27:1)
Do you believe this? Then wait for the LORD. He will not disappoint you
|
Pastor Phil Bray
|