Psalm 40:1 “I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry.”
No one delights in standing in a slow-moving line or sitting beside the phone until the doctor calls, but waiting is a part of life. Yet the very act runs contrary to our natural inclination or desire. And waiting can wreak havoc on our emotions unless we discipline ourselves to “wait patiently for the Lord.”
The Hebrew word “wait” means to bind together by weaving and twisting; to become one. As we wait, the Holy Spirit will weave our wills into God’s until His desire becomes ours. The longer the wait, the clearer we’ll see, and the simpler things will become as He brings them into focus.
Patient waiting has a way of separating us from the ways of the world by driving us to look to Him alone. The Lord is ready to answer at precisely the right moment, but our temptation is to scheme, manipulate, throw money at it, or view others as an answer to the situation. Trying to concoct our own plans instead of allowing God to speak and move is a recipe for disaster.
Perhaps you’ve prayed for direction, provision, a future spouse, or physical healing for days, months, or even years, causing you to question, How much longer, Lord? The answer and God’s timing are according to His sovereign, eternal purpose of creating a dynamic, disciplined, and enduring faith deep within your soul. Ecclesiastes 3:11 promises that God makes everything beautiful in its time. Why not wait as He does it?
Awaiting His Return,
– Pastor Jack
Click here to read all of Jack Hibbs’ Weekly Devotionals at Real Life with Jack Hibbs.
