Trust While Waiting

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Psalm 27:14

When we have something specific that need attention; something that we cannot do on our own, we can be particular about who we go to for help. In choosing the right person, our expectation is that we will receive a favourable reply, along the lines of, ‘Yes, that’s no problem, I’ll get that sorted for you.’ This can also be our expectation when we bring our concerns to God. We know He is able to sort it out and we long to hear the ‘Yes, that’s no problem’ reply, but that’s not always the case, and we can get frustrated when we feel the response is, ‘Leave it with me.’

Waiting is something that many of us are not particularly good at, but David encourages us that, with God, it is definitely worthwhile. I have come to realise (and it has taken some time) that if God is asking me to wait, there is something He wants me to learn. It might be something as obvious as patience, but more often than not it is something a little less subtle – like, stillness. Impatience can cause annoyance, agitation, fear, and occasionally anger, none of which embody stillness.

The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 (NIV)

If we are fully convinced that the Lord is on our side and that He wants the very best for us, then we can be still and trust Him in the waiting. God’s Word tells us that He doesn’t just give us life, but life to the full. He doesn’t just give us a good measure, but a good measure pressed down, shaken together and running over! So, when God asks us to wait, He will not give us an empty wait, but a wait that is full of strength and courage and goodness and peace. For, when God asks us to be still, He wants us to experience the fullness of His presence. As He said to Moses:

My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. Exodus 33:14

When we wait for the Lord in the stillness of His presence, we do not wait alone, for He is with us always.