March 16

Waiting and Waiting and Waiting

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 40:1-5 | Numbers 24:1-25:18 | Luke 2:1-35 | Proverbs11:14

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 40:1-5

“I waited and waited and waited for God. At last he looked; finally he listened. He lifted me out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud. He stood me up on a solid rock to make sure I wouldn’t slip. He taught me how to sing the latest God-song, a praise-song to our God” (Psalm 40:1-3a The Message).

I waited and waited and waited. Waiting for God’s answer seems overwhelming sometimes.

God’s timing and our timetable don’t ever seem to match. We find ourselves at the point of despair–the slimy pit filled with mud and mire (vs. 2). Just about to give up. Sure that we’ve been abandoned.  

Then God shows up. He does hear us. He does listen to our cries. He hears and finally answers our prayers.

He stands up on a solid rock and steadies us to make sure we don’t slip back into the slimy pit of despair. He gives us a new song. We can sing again.

Hold on to hope. Continue to cry out to God. He is listening. When the time is right, he will hear and answer. Even now I hear the faint sound of a new song off in the distance. Do you hear it?

Heavenly Father, help me to hold on to hope even while I wait for the answer. Help me to realize that character is being developed during the waiting. I continue to wait, please don’t let me slip into the slimy pit of despair. I know that when the time is right you will answer. I wait in expectation, and look to you for a new song. Amen.