Active Waiting
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
— Psalms 27:14
Wait.
As a parent of two young children, I know very well this is one of the most unwelcome and even painful words for a child to hear.
“I want a snack!”
“Wait.”
“Can you play with me?”
“Wait.”
“How long till we get there?”
“Wait.”
“When can I see my friends?”
“Wait.”
Nobody likes to wait. Even as adults, we loathe the idea. “When will my stimulus check get here?” Wait. “When will I meet the one?” Wait. “How long before I get that promotion?” Wait. “When will life go back to normal?” Wait. “How long, O Lord?!” Wait.
When we read about the lives of men and women found in the Bible, this isn’t an unfamiliar theme. Abraham waited a very long time for his child. Joseph waited alone in prison for justice. Israel waited for freedom. Ruth for restoration and a family. David waited years for the promise of kingship. Jesus’ last words to His disciples were to wait (Acts 1:4) for the promise of the Father; the Holy Spirit.
As we are in this season of waiting and uncertainty, one thing I am trying to remember is that, as a follower of Jesus, the act of waiting takes on a whole new meaning and purpose. Waiting on God, in the Biblical sense, is less sitting and passively waiting for time to pass, but rather actively waiting on God with expectation, faith and hope. When waiting for God with anticipation and belief, it becomes an act of worship.
If I’m honest, I have been feeling rather restless and impatient (not only now, but in many seasons of my life). However, because I really do trust God, I can shift my perspective and wait on Him with expectation. Because I know that He is faithful, I can wait on Him with anticipation. Because He is good, because I know He loves me, I can wait on Him with hope.
I remember that every season of waiting has an end to it and I can choose to wait with a heart of worship and trust.
Take a few moments to read and pray through Psalms 27 today, written during one of David’s seasons of waiting. Not passively waiting, twiddling his thumbs and checking his watch, but instead taking the opportunity to seek after God and worship Him through his waiting.
Psalms 27 (NIV)
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation —
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life —
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.
4 One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek Him in His temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
He will keep me safe in His dwelling;
He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at His sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of You, “Seek His face!”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide Your face from me,
do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me Your way, Lord;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.
13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
