PSALMS - Wait A Second...Or More

Ever notice how much time we spend in our lives waiting?

I live in Southern California – and let me tell you, I know a thing or two about waiting…

Last weekend, the 405 freeway was shut down – for the WHOLE weekend. Now, unless you live in California, this isn't going to make a lot of sense. But, let me clarify for you – the 405 is considered the busiest freeway in the nation, handling over a half-million cars a day (that’s 500,000 folks!). So, this shut-down made national news.

It was (not so) lovingly nicknamed "Carmageddon."

Traffic in Southern California is a major source of waiting.

But think about it – what about waiting for a table in a restaurant, waiting in line at the bank, waiting in a doctor's office, waiting in a drive-thru fast food place, waiting for a tax refund…you can fill in this list with your own stuff – I just know you can!

This waiting can be annoying, exasperating, frustrating…

But it's still part of normal life.

But what about the *other waiting* – the waiting for test results from the doctor, waiting for someone to land safely while flying, waiting for someone to call, waiting in a waiting room…you can fill in THIS list with your own stuff, too…

The waiting that is torture, fearful, nerve-wracking, draining.

It is the soulful waiting – the waiting that challenges our faith. That causes us to question and doubt. That makes us look to God in agony.

Today's "Bible Pick 'Ems" landed me in Psalms again. I guess God has some more to say to me through the words of David:

"Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge." (Psalms 62:5-8)

These words of David were written during the days of Absalom’s rebellion (see 2 Samuel 15-18) – a time when David once again found himself literally running for his life.

In a time of plenty and peace, these words would have been comforting and sweet. In a time when one's life is in danger, they are powerful and courageous. These are not the sweet sentiments of a man "having a good day!" These are a war cry – a pure statement of unshakeable faith in a God who is able…

We have to place ALL hope in God.

Knowing that He is in control allows us to wait patiently for Him to rescue us.

However, true relief does not come when the problem is resolved – because more problems are right around the corner – that's life. And sometimes God does not resolve a problem the way we want – nor does He always "rescue" us from difficulties, suffering, and pain.

What to do then?

Trust – trust, trust.

Only in trusting in our Rock and our Salvation can we change our outlook on life. True relief comes from an enduring hope in God’s ultimate salvation – the eternal rescue that we confidently look toward.

Only then will all things be resolved.

And how are we to wait?

Grumbling, doubting, fearing, complaining, whining??

No, we are to wait quietly before the Lord - with ALL that we are. To me, that means - a quiet mind, with thoughts under control, not running rampant - a quiet spirit, with a peaceful acceptance of circumstances - a quiet heart, with confidence in the future, whether here on earth or in eternity -

Let ALL that I am wait quietly...

In the meantime, when we rest in God’s strength, NOTHING can shake us!

Fill in this blank with your own sentiment:

When I am ____________________, I will WAIT upon the LORD.

(Linked today with Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays, and Peggy at Soaking On SONday. Please feel free to hop on over to my other blog during the week - Sharon Sharing God)

"When in doubt, search God out!"