A Firm Place To Stand

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.

Psalm 40:1-3

Waiting is hard. We wait in grocery lines, gas lines, in traffic, and at the doctor’s office.

We twiddle our thumbs, stifle our yawns, and fret inwardly in frustration.

We wait for a letter to come. We wait on a child to return. We wait on a spouse to change. We wait for our heart’s desire.

It is the mystery of educating human spirits to the finest temper of which they are capable. Through the discipline of waiting, we can develop the quieter virtues – submission, humility, patience, joyful endurance, persistence in well-doing – virtues that take the longest to learn.

What do we do when God seems to withhold our heart’s desire? He is able to help us to love and trust Him enough to accept the delay with joy ad to see it as an opportunity to develop these virtues – and to praise Him.

Waiting for God is never a waste of time.

Our Daily Bread – January 26, 2014