Learn to Wait.

I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined to me, and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1

The idea of waiting has been lost in this generation. We call the 21 century the “Information Age” With the internet, the cell phone, services like Push to Talk, text messaging and satellite TV. We can no longer wait for anything. We will pass up a good meal for the drive thru because it is instant. We microwave because apparently fire is now too slow. As Christians, we must guard ourselves from letting the failings of this present age seep into our spiritual lives. Our inability to be patient might hurt us in our secular lives, but it is altogether inconsistent with a relationship with God. God never changes and works in His time,not ours.

David endured many trials. His experience with God involved years of patience. When God anointed him King he was still a boy, tending sheep for his father’s Jessie. It was 15 years before he would become a king and 5 more years before he would be king of all Israel. When you pray and wait on God’s deliverance, you are displaying trust. God never fails and when he acts it is complete and perfect. As Psalm 40 continues, David describes how God sets his “feet on a rock” and puts “A new song in my mouth”. As we face trials, obstacles and ongoing struggles in our lives, it is imperative we pray and trust. But it is also important to remember to learn to wait. When God answers our prayers, in His own time, we will not only be able to rejoice but our faith and resolve will have been strengthened and we will be stronger for the next battle.

Be strong in the Lord,

Deacon Larry Woodard