Waiting


How long, O Lord? Psalm 13:1

As a child it was so hard to wait for Christmas or birthdays to come. Perhaps even harder to wait for school holidays to free us from our daily routine. As adults we wait for other things – healing from sickness, the salvation of a loved one, an end to loneliness, release from a difficult situation.

Have you cried with the psalmist, “How long, O Lord?” Have you felt that God does not hear your prayers? Have you been tempted to feel abandoned, neglected or betrayed by God? Have you struggled with depression and thoughts of abandoning your request – putting it on the shelf and marking it “Request Denied”?

David probably had those feelings many times in his struggles and battles, yet his wonderful trust in God shines through in the moment of despair. In verse 5 and 6 he says, “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.” How could he say that when it seems that he didn’t yet have the answer? I believe it was because He knew God’s character. He meditated on the stories of God’s faithfulness to His people through the generations. He also reminded himself of his own experiences where God had rescued him before – perhaps giving him strength to fight the lion and the bear, giving him awesome victories over Goliath and enemy armies.

David knew and trusted in God’s unfailing love that is why he could sing a song of praise in his time of waiting. Paul and Silas could sing a song of praise to God while they sat beaten and bloodied in prison chains because they trusted in their faithful, all powerful God.

Praise strengthens our faith and reminds us of God’s goodness and greatness. Can you sing a song of praise today as you remind yourself to trust in God’s unfailing love? If you will do it you will reap the reward of rising joy, and the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to trust in your unfailing love. Remind me of the times you have answered my prayers and strengthen me to wait for your time of release. In Jesus’ name.
Amen