Whether you are a new believer in Jesus Christ, or a matured believer, all share the blessedness, and sometimes the struggles, of waiting upon the Lord. However, for those who make waiting part of life, there is great reward in learning the discipline. Micah, who prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, knew the pain of wicked rulership as well as the joys of having a righteous King. Micah witnessed the terror of spiritual compromise throughout a nation. Yet, for him, there was only one correct response to it all. But as for me, I will watch expectantly for Yahweh; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me (Micah 7:7). Micah’s priority was to patiently grow in knowing Yahweh’s character, which should be our goal also. Micah’s confidence was in God alone, far more than in an expected human outcome. He prioritised this while trusting God to invisibly take care of his needs and the needs of the nation. Regardless of what twists and turns life takes, it is God honouring and personally comforting, to expectantly watch for the Lord’s leading each day.
The author of Psalm 130 had obviously experienced life’s pains, as expressed through these 8 heart-felt verses, out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD! (Psalm 130:1). God knows that the human heart sometimes needs to be touched by the ugly realities of this sinful world to motivate the deepest cries for His listening ear of mercy (Psalm 130:3).
Within the merciful acceptance of the forgiving Saviour, there is found an oasis for the troubled heart. A place of rest. There, the Psalmist could honestly say, I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning (Psalm 130:5-6). Some days the waiting is short, while other days it’s lengthy. Some days the waiting is uncomfortable, while other days it’s smooth and easy. Either way, waiting grows patience and encourages the enquiring mind to question the Lord, exploring His Word for the possible reasons for His choices over our lives. Often waiting begins with nervousness and doubts, but as the Lord works out His plan in your life, those negatives are gradually replaced with joy and confidence in Him. This waiting doesn’t invite superficial thoughts or feelings, but calls for our deepest emotions and beliefs to be shared with Him.
God centred, and God focused waiting develops assurance of His receptive care because with Yahweh there is lovingkindness, and with Him is abundant redemption (Psalm 130:7). In the waiting rooms of the Christian life, failings are confessed, forgiveness is assured, and expectations change as fears subside, giving way to fresh possibilities. Confidence gradually replaces apprehension as we watch and pray, observing how God not only transforms our hearts, but directs the people and events of our lives. Patience in each of life’s waiting rooms matures our Christian learning skills and our ability to observe God’s lessons from God’s perspective.
Occasionally, the waiting rooms of life become crowded as complexities increase and others place demands upon us. When this happens, it’s most likely time to invite a Christian friend in with you. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). The fellowship of prayerfully waiting upon the Lord together in God’s Word is both strengthening and comforting. United and trusting dependence upon the Lord really can assist the aligning of our hearts with the Lord’s heart in the waiting. Let us patiently wait upon the Lord with confidence and humility.
