January 31

wait for him

Typically, I merely skim my Facebook feed. But today I found myself taking time to reflect on a friend’s post that read: “Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.” I know what it means to wait for a phone call, to wait in line, to wait for an answer from a friend or colleague. But it’s been a long time since I’ve grappled with what it means for my soul to wait for the Lord.

To begin unpacking this command, I read Psalm 130:5-6, which says, ”I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning” (NIV).

The Hebrew word for “wait” is qavah, a verb that describes the tension of enduring; waiting; looking eagerly for something to happen; to expect. To wait for God means to look to Him continually for assistance and salvation, and to trust that He will work things out “for the good of those who love” Him (Romans 8:28).

It takes strength, courage, and trust to wait on the Lord rather than to take things into our own hands (Psalm 130:7-8). As one commentator states, “The ability to wait on the Lord stems from being confident and focused on who God is and in what God is doing. It means confidence in God’s person: confidence in His wisdom, love, timing, understanding of our situation and that of the world. It means knowing and trusting in God’s principles, promises, purposes, and power.”

As we wait on the Lord we receive strength from Him, and we gain deeper understanding of the fact that His ways are perfect and higher than our own. He alone can provide the “hope” and “unfailing love” we need! (v.7). May we “be still” today and “wait patiently” for Him to act (37:7). —Roxanne Robbins

read›

Psalm 130:1-8  Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act (37:7).

more›

What was King David delivered from when he “waited patiently for the Lord”? (Psalm 40:1-2).

next›

What does God provide as you wait on Him? How can simply waiting help you grow as a believer in Jesus?

Praise the Lord with 'His Name' by Urban Rescue from universalmusicgroup on GodTube.