A Good Wait

Read Psalm 61-63, 69  
 
Psalms 62:1 I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.
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Psalm 69:3 I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched. My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me.
 
SEVERAL years ago, early in my calling to minister God’s Word, I was without a church to pastor. I did not know where, when, or if God would call me to a new church. Four months I waited through a series of interviews and assessments to determine what church might invite me to be their pastor. That time seemed a very long time.
   Then I read these psalms. David was not waiting for work. He was waiting for life to be safe, whole and purposeful again. The shepherd boy anointed to be King of Israel was waiting for God to rescue him from rebellious Absalom, his own son who threatened his life.
   We remember from 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles that David escaped Absalom’s rebellion by going through the Wilderness and across the Jordan River. Thousands of people were uprooted along the way as David fled for his life. David regarded his troubles, regretted his sins, and sought God’s salvation. This may have been the darkest days of David’s life.
   So why was I so restless in the waiting? My life was not threatened. No rebellion lurked outside my door! Why did I need to know what I would be doing in the future?
   Our basic human nature wants to know we are safe. Much material is broadcast over the airways and written on social media and in books about perceived future threats. People make money causing us to fear “tomorrow”. They want us to watch their programs, buy their books and rely on their advice, so we will know how to prepare for the threats they say are sure to happen.
   What do we do with the fears and worries? It is important to learn what is true. The truth helps us properly prepare for tomorrow. From our faith perspective, we learn of God and await him to fulfill his promises. In faith we can know that whatever challenges pursues us, God calls us to live with a sure confidence in him. His words from these psalms remind us again the ultimate victory comes from him.
   David also wrote in Psalms 62:8 O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. David is the king unveiling his weaknesses, fears, anger and doubt. He is also the king pointing his own heart and Israel toward their God to know their future is secure in his promises.
   The psalms speak deeply into our daily struggles and to our eternal destiny. These are real words from a man who was very, very real with God.
   One lesson we can learn here is that waiting can be a time of strengthening. That’s what the waiting did for me. Waiting for the next call prepared me for the call. I experienced in those weeks more time of intimate prayer with God. There was more time for children and grandchildren. And I enjoyed some very special moments with my wife.
   Look to the future with truth and wisdom that comes from God. He will prepare you for what he has prepared for you.