I’m in my 80s and there have been very difficult circumstances in my life when I had to embrace the saying: “When I'm at the end of my rope, I must tie a knot and hang on.” Occasionally, in prayer I’ve had to throw up my hands in frustration, “I give up Lord, you gotta do it, I’ve done all I can!” I wanted the answer right now! God has never worked on my timetable, but he has surely been found faithful, totally reliable and true. I’ve had major prayer requests that took years for the answer, but as is often the case, God’s answer was so much better than I could have imagined. I suppose waiting on the LORD has too often been my most difficult struggle. But the Psalms do give us promises to encourage us to wait on God. My life would have been so much better at times, if I merely had more trust as I waited.
Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! (Ps 27:14, NRSV)
Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and shield. (Ps 33:20, NRSV)
But it is for you, O LORD, that I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer. (Ps 38:15, NRSV)
“And now, O Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you. Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool. (Ps 39:7-8, NRSV)
I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. (Ps 40:1, NRSV)
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation…For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. (Ps 62:1, 5, NRSV)
Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! (Ps 27:14, NRSV)
Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and shield. (Ps 33:20, NRSV)
But it is for you, O LORD, that I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer. (Ps 38:15, NRSV)
“And now, O Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you. Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool. (Ps 39:7-8, NRSV)
I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. (Ps 40:1, NRSV)
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation…For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. (Ps 62:1, 5, NRSV)
