How do I “wait” upon the Lord?
This is a very practical question, for “waiting” for something or someone is quite difficult in this fast-paced world that we live in. I’m reminded of the old adage, “Patience is a virtue” and if we are honest we would admit that oftentimes we lack that virtue! We want things NOW and expect the Lord to respond to our prayers immediately. We do need to learn to “wait” on Him for His perfect timing.
Perhaps we can learn “how to wait upon the Lord” by musing on Psalm 27. David ended this Psalm in verse 14 with these words, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” David experienced many trials in his life and some believe this Psalm was written when his life was being threatened by King Saul. David learned, as his enemies surrounded him, that he must have: 1) Confidence in the Lord; 2) Communion with the Lord; and 3) Dependence on the Lord. These three things enabled him to “wait on the Lord.”
Verses 1-3 read, “The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.” David realized his WEAKNESS and that God was his STRENGTH. Have we learned that lesson? Having confidence in the Lord while we wait on the Lord frees the heart from fear and results in “His strength” becoming “our strength.” We see this beautiful truth in Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
In verse 4 David craved God’s presence. He said, “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in His temple.” To truly “wait upon the Lord,” we MUST continually seek to be in His presence and to have sweet communion with Him. It is when we “leave His presence” that we begin to fear and become impatient. I love the way David expressed this desire, “One thing have I desired of the LORD,” as if this was his only desire. He knew that his top priority should be communion with His blessed Lord! Does this not remind us of Mary in Luke 10:39 who “sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard His Word”? She craved His presence and communion and Jesus commended her for this with these words in Luke 10:42, “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
In Psalm 27:7-8 David shows his dependence on the Lord, “Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When Thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.” We just reflected on David “seeking the Lord’s presence” to behold His beauty and to enjoy fellowship with Him, but here he “seeks the Lord’s face” in prayer and dependence.” David had definite needs and he cries out to the Lord with those needs! What is so important to see is that the Lord invited David to “Seek ye my face,” and David’s heart responded, “Thy face, LORD, will I seek.” The Lord invites us, in Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” May our hearts respond like David did!
May we be encouraged, by David’s example, to have “confidence in the Lord,” “communion with the Lord,” and “dependence on the Lord.” If we do we will surely learn the secret of “waiting on the Lord.” (161.7) (DO)