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Psalm 40:1-3

Posted on 04.04.2013

“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 and put their trust in the Lord.”

As I look over the past fifteen months of my blogging, I see that the subject of waiting has come up more than once. Waiting is an important principle for followers of Christ. Since the ability to wait is an important theme for the Christian, patience is a valued virtue that we desire as Christians. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) that we must have in order to wait.

Waiting is a highly desired attribute also because it is so difficult. Our humanity simply resists this character trait. We want everything “right now.” Waiting must be spiritually attained as we manifest more of the fruit of the Spirit, patience. As we seek Christ, allowing Him to rest and to rule in our hearts, we will be empowered by the Spirit to wait.

Briefly, I would like to point out a few important aspects of the verses cited above: David, the writer of these verses, states that he waited patiently. In order for us to wait patiently, we must have faith. We must believe that God does hear our cries, our prayers and our requests. The Lord’s attention was turned to David when He heard his cry. We must know that God will never forsake our cries. He pays attention. Why do we so often give up and lose heart and hope? Faithful patience is the key.

Lastly, as a result of David’s faithful patience, God did great things for him. God lifted him out of that pit. He set David’s feet on a rock and gave him a solid, firm place to stand! God continued to bless him. David’s mouth poured out a hymn of praise, for, he was grateful to be removed from a very difficult place in his life! I think it is interesting that David states that God put a new song in his mouth. Our hope and joy comes from God, just like everything else we have (Psalm 62:5)!

Finally, what God did for David is a witness to us that God hears us and that He will deliver us to a more secure place when the trial is over. Others are encouraged and will put their trust in God by watching how we faithfully and patiently wait on Him to come to our aid.

The process of waiting is more important than the end result. The process itself builds our character and continues to build upon each fruit of the Spirit that God wants to grow in us. Let’s keep talking about waiting so we can encourage one another! When it is all over, we will have a new song to sing.