Waiting 6.25.23
I don’t know anyone who really enjoys waiting. Delays, interruptions, long-lines, and the like have a tendency to put us on edge and increase our stress levels. There is, however, a good kind of waiting that the Bible instructs us should be a place of rest and an opportunity to grow and mature. In our micro-wave, quick society, I’m afraid many have lost that Biblical concept of “waiting on God.”
Recently I was sent a devotional by one of our members that dealt with this issue. It explained there are three Old Testament words translated as “waiting” that give us clearer insight into this spiritual discipline. The first is “silently waiting with quiet trust.” It’s like King David who declared in Psalm 62: “My soul waits in silence for God only; from Him is my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation.”
The second word “chakah” means to adhere to or long for. It’s clinging to the Lord, knowing He will come through as a help in times of trouble. Psalm 33 states: “Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.” Then the third original word has two important meanings. The first is to “wait for with eager expectation.” and the second to “bind together by twisting” as in a rope or braid. You see, as we spend time with the Lord, an intertwining occurs. Our hearts connect and His strength becomes ours. (Isaiah 40:31)
I trust we will all learn and practice the art of “waiting on God.” It’s not a posture but rather an attitude. It is helpful to slow down, take some time, reflect upon God’s goodness and allow His heart and mind to be braided together with yours. Don’t lose patience, my friend, but be assured that in “God’s Time” He will make all things beautiful. Don’t lean on your own understanding of time but wait patiently and He will fulfill His plan and purpose for your life.