Why Wait On God

Waiting, at best, is difficult. Giving up, however, can be disastrous.

We often hear the warning, “Don’t ever pray for patience. God may take you at your word and hide from you for a long, long time.” Whether or not we pray for patience, we often end up waiting on God for a long, long time. It is easy to convince ourselves that “I’ve waited long enough. It’s time for me to strike out on my own. God will eventually catch up with me.”

“We wait in hope for the Lord,” said David, “He is our help and shield!” Why would a king with armies and wise men, property and power advise people to wait? Why not, as a warrior, “move into combat?”

From his past David could predict his future. First, the God who created all things, is above all things, sees all things, controls all things will, when it is time, come and “do His thing.” David had experienced God at work in his life and certainly came to believe in God’s presence and power in his life. So, he reassures us and reminds us that He “is now and will be in the future our helper and our shield.”

As our helper, He will, at the appropriate time, deliver us. We may not know when or understand what method of deliverance He will use, but we do know that He will deliver those who trust in Him. We have His word because it is in His Word. However, until He does, we are reminded that He is our shield - the One who will defend us. Our hope is in His hands.

Prayer: Give us, O Lord, a confident faith that will not fail as we wait on You, our helper and shield. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 33:20 Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.