The Waiting Game

     Waiting is hard for most of us especially if there is anything urgent that we are concerned about.  Our whole culture has gotten into the habit of acquiring things quickly.  Fast food, high speed internet, instant communication through texting and even forms of high speed transit make us impatient with any delays.  Yet God does not work on our timetable.  We are confined by time, schedules, and 24 hour periods, but God is outside of time.  His purposes, thoughts and ways are often beyond our ability to understand.  The Bible tells us this clearly (Isaiah 55:8-9).  Therefore, we need to be patient and trusting in Him who is our rock.  David knew this about the Lord he served, and we can derive encouragement from the Psalm he wrote.
     Psalm 62:5-8 reads like this:  "My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.  He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.  In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.  Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.  Selah "  David is preaching to himself and to us as we read these words.  It is hard to wait for a baby to be born, for medical tests to come back, or even for a prayer to be answered.  We are all familiar with the phrase, "Hurry up and wait."  Nothing happens, however, that does not first pass through the hands of God.  His timing is perfect which is why we are called upon to trust in Him.
     One of the key things we need to do when we are waiting for an answer is to put our expectation on God.  He is the one who made us.  He has a plan for our lives, and His timing is perfect.  David makes it clear that God is our Rock and Salvation.  He is our stability in the midst of a world that teeters and sways with every whim of man.  So how is it that we can remain calm, patient, and peaceful as we wait?
     First, we need to surround ourselves with encouraging, godly friends.  Knowing that others are praying with us as we wait helps to keep us upbeat rather than anxious
.  David said he was waiting silently for God alone.  He was not frantic but calm.  Being able to talk with Christian friends and family helps us keep perspective that we are never alone.
     In addition, David tells us to pour out our hearts to God.  Prayer changes things.  It changes our attitude, it draws us close to our heavenly Father, it allows us to release our emotions, and it brings us inner contentment.  This should be a daily routine for each of us but especially when confronted with waiting.  There is not one detail of our lives that God does not care about.  He wants to know if we feel frightened, hurt, anxious.  He is our rock on which we can depend, but He wants to hear from us.
     Finally, one of the most important resources we have is God's Word.  The Bible contains the truth. Not only does God reveal Himself to us through His Word but He also provides for us His comfort, wisdom and love.  As we store it in our hearts, our trust and confidence in the Lord grows exponentially.  While everything else may pass away in this world, God's Word will remain forever.  Therefore, we need to make certain it is the foundation of our faith day by day.
     With God as our rock, we cannot be moved by life's waiting, circumstances or heartaches.  He is for us when we belong to Him.  This is such comfort when it seems like the answers to our prayers never come or come quickly enough.  We must remember that God operates on a different timetable for our welfare and His glory.  He is not slow...He is right on time.  Therefore, we must find encouragement in other believers, pray daily and read scripture.  Our waiting will be worth it in the end!  Selah!