Wait Patiently

“Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him,” Psalm 37:7

One of the hardest things for some of us is to wait and be patient. I mean, you know what to do and when to do it—right? And sometimes, you just want to do it and get it over with! If only we could have the faith that Ruth seemed to have when she said to her mother-in-law, Naomi, “Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God.”(Ruth 1:16) (Please take a moment and turn to the book of Ruth and read her story) And in the Book of Proverbs we read this: The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.” (16:9) And, I know, O Lord, that the way of human beings is not in their control, that mortals as they walk cannot direct their steps.”  (Jeremiah 10:23)

Again, the Psalmist cries out, “Be still and know that I am God!” (46:10) And, Isaiah writes, “…those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…” (40:31) I encourage you to look up what has been referenced herein and prayerfully consider and take into your heart what you read. Ask the Holy Spirit to rise up within you and give you wisdom and understanding.

You could probably surmise by now, that I struggle with the waiting game. I tend not to have patience, but I am a work in progress. You see, I know the steps I must take to reach my goal. And some of them I could just as well skip over. But, you see, there are things that I cannot see and if I waited and had a little patience, my God would most assuredly make my way clear! He has promised that if I wait for Him that I will, “mount up with wings like eagles, [I] shall run and not be weary, [I] shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

Now, I do not know what your path is; every one of us can only know their own. But, I do know this, God has a plan for you and me (Jeremiah 29:11-12) and He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) so “do not fear, for [God] is with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God.” (Isaiah 41:10)

You see, the scriptures that I have noted (and there are many more) are not just stories of people from long ago, they are your story, as well; and they are my story. God who came to earth in the flesh (John 1) and called Himself Jesus—“is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) He has engraved you on the palm of his hand,( Isaiah 49:16)

so do not fret, for when you do it is an invitation for Satan to tell you lies that you may act upon. Simply trust in the Lord and lean on His understanding (Proverbs 3:5, 6) for He will direct your steps and take you safely to the goal He has set before you.

I hope you will covenant with me to read and re-read this meditation until the Holy Spirit has written upon your heart that “all things are possible with God.” (Matthew 19:26)

Father, take my life and let it be consecrated with thee. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN

Romans 12:2   Hebrews 10:36   Romans 8:25   Psalm 37: 7-9   Ruth 2:12