A Time to Wait – Psalm Forty
- Beth Mims
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Patience.
In our fast food, microwave, instant world, patience is a virtue that seems to have lost its value. People don’t want it now; they want it yesterday – whatever IT is. We speed just to be speeding. We rush, because rushing has become our habit. Waiting is out of style, and most people don’t mind letting you know.
That’s why the first line of Psalm 40 caused me to catch my breath, to pause.
“I waited patiently for the Lord;”
Whoa. That is not a 21st century sentiment. Not in my experience anyway.
As I read on, however, I saw how the psalmist benefited from his waiting.
“I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry” (verse 1).
As David, the psalmist waited before God, God leaned toward him and heard his cry. David knew this. How did he know. The following verses tell us.
God brought David out of a horrible pit (verse 2). That pit was David’s sin. David experienced the glory of forgiveness, of being washed clean from the sin he had committed.
He set David’s feet on a rock and established his goings. David no longer walked in an unsteady fashion. He walked with purpose, established in the sureness of God’s love and care. He wasn’t rolling around in the miry clay anymore. He wasn’t stuck in the mud; He was established on the Rock.
God gave David a new song, a song of praise to God (verse 3). There was no doubt whom David was serving. He was singing the song of his God. He was praising God, because God had changed his tune.
Patience in waiting paid off for David. He patiently waited on God, and God heard his cry for deliverance.
God is still listening today. He is still in the delivering business.
If we can just still our hearts from the distractions of this busy world long enough to call to Him, He will hear out cry.
What God did for David, He will do for anyone who calls to Him.
· He will bring you out of the horrible pit of sin.
· He will set your feet on the Rock of Christ and establish your goings by giving you a purpose in living for Him.
· He will put a new song in your mouth, even praise to God for the work He does.
Sounds to me like that is worth waiting for.
Father, how I struggle against having to wait. I keep something to occupy myself and my mind rather than sitting quietly with You. Forgive me for my busyness. Slow me down today. Quiet my mind to hear Your words like David did. Remind me that You have delivered me from the pit. You have picked me up and set me on The Rock. You have established my path. I have a song to sing because of You, Lord. It is Your song. It is a song of praise to You. Please hear it with gladness. In Jesus’ name I pray.
Think About It
· Are you rushing today?
· Will you stop a moment and listen for God’s voice?
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