In our own human thinking, we would probably not enter on such a list that waiting is a source of spiritual strength. Here is the rub. As followers of Christ, we are not to pursue, but forsake, the human and worldly manner of looking at life. Instead, we need to be developing wisdom that comes from above, a spiritual discernment grounded in the Word of God.
Psalm 27 is one of those majestic Hebrew poems that highlights God's provision and goodness in the midst of life's serious struggles. The concluding verse makes it crystal clear that waiting for the Lord is a source of spiritual strength:
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.
The reason we view waiting as a negative is that we view is as a time issue. It is not. It is a faith issue. Biblical waiting is not idleness, passivity, uncertainty or a time to pray telling God to hurry up.
Other English words used to translate the Hebrew word are eagerly look and hope. Let me suggest this working definition: Waiting is the confidence that the Lord is using all of my life situations to deepen my trust and develop my character. Faith believes that God can...waiting (hoping, eagerly expecting) believes that God will!
Before you read any further, grab your Bible and read Psalm 27. Read is slowly, read it out loud. Listen with your ears, your mind, your will and your heart.
With our finger on the text, notice first, that...
...God is in the replacing business!
- God replaces darkness with light, 1a
- God replaces lostness with salvation, 1a
- God replaces weakness with strength, 1b
- God replaces fear with confidence, 2,3
- God replaces many things with one thing, 4
- God replaces trouble with safety, 8
...We are in the responding business!
- Our response of prayer, 7
- Our response of seeking the Lord, 8-10
- Our response of learning God's ways, 11-12
- Our response of confidence, 13
Being strengthened by waiting for the Lord moves us beyond believing that God can to the place of believing that God will!
Waiting is not expecting the disappearance of the negatives of life. Rather, it is the eager expectation that God can and will use every situation in my life for my good and for His glory!
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.
You will be glad you did.
