My wife would tell you that “waiting” is not something I enjoy!  Whether it be standing in line at the grocery store, waiting for a table at a restaurant or waiting to hear my number called at our local DMV!  I get impatient and it impacts my attitude.

That is why Ps. 27 hit me today. David said in verse 14,

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”

All of us have had times in our lives where we want to do something and for whatever reason, it just doesn’t seem to happen as fast as we would like.  If you are like me, I have a tendency to want to take control and make things happen.  Personally, I want this coronavirus problem fixed today so that we can get back to our normal lives!  I want to go, but it seems that God is not in a rush.

I appreciated the wisdom of Gerald Wilson who said,

“One of the most difficult aspects of faithful Christian living for me has been waiting for God. Too often I am impatient and want God to act now, on my schedule. Most often that is not how it happens. Waiting takes strength and demonstrates trust, courage, and endurance^[1]

Why does God want us to wait for him and his perfect timing in our lives?  This is a great question and again, Wilson has helpful insight when he says,

“Waiting on God is hard work. Yet, it is one way—perhaps the only way—of demonstrating God’s strength manifest in our weakness. Whenever we rush frantically about trying to “do it” on our own, we in effect become “functional atheists,” denying by our actions that God is active in our lives. Often to admit that we are powerless is the first step toward acknowledging God’s strength unleashed in our lives.”^[2]

Waiting helps me realize that I am not in control, but God is.  Instead of trying to make things happen, sometimes God works our circumstances to help us refocus our dependence back upon him.  Often times, instead of trying to force things to happen, I need to get on my knees and pray to God for his help.

Does “waiting” mean that I passively just sit there?  The NIV Study Bible clarifies the meaning of this verse when it says,

“To wait for the Lord is to look to him with dependence and trust, not passivity; this is what enables one to be strong and courageous.”^[3]

As you and I wait for God to meet our needs, address the coronavirus pandemic and fix our economy, and whatever else is troubling us, we should be people who express hope and courage with the confident expectation of God’s provision.

As Tom Constable apply summarizes, believers of all people,

“Can remain positive and confident about our spiritual safety as we find our delight in the Lord. When fear raises its head, the way to defeat it is to return to trust in Yahweh.”^[4]

Father, thank you that while I need to be active and expectant in my hope in you and your provision, I should not be frantic, or worried as though you were not actively involved in my life.  You are my refuge.  You are my rock.  As you say in Ps 23, you vigorously pursue me with your goodness and mercy.   Father, continue to give our country’s leadership wisdom and bless their efforts to control this virus and restore our economy.  Thank you for being actively involved in my life even when I cannot see it because of my circumstances.

Following Jesus with you,

 

 

^[1] Gerald H. Wilson, Psalms, vol. 1, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002), 490.

^[2] Gerald H. Wilson, Psalms, vol. 1, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002), 491.

^[3] Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 971.

^[4] Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Ps 27:13.

Today I was impressed with something that is said in one of the most familiar Psalms in the Bible, Psalm 23.  It seems that there are two primary descriptions of God in this passage. The first is that he is our Shepherd.  As our Shepherd, he leads, guides, protects and provides for his sheep. These truths should be a great encouragement to us today.

But, the second description is what hit me today because of the challenges we are all experiencing with the Coronavirus.  It is in verses 5-6 which says,

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

In the verses above, God is now pictured not as a Shepherd but as the Lavish Host of a grand meal and you and I are his guests.  This meal takes place “in the presence of my enemies.” Did you see that?

Tom Constable notes,

“In this verse David described God as a host rather than as a shepherd. As a gracious host God provides hospitality for His people. He supplies us with what we need and desire lavishly, and He does so not by removing us from the presence of our spiritual enemies but in their presence.”^[1]

Although David probably had human enemies in mind in verse five, this passage is clearly also telling us that God will provide for us in all difficult times because of what he said in verse four which says,

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

David said he fears “no evil.”  This is a general reference to all harm.  As we go through this challenging time, we must remember that God does not promise to prevent challenges in our lives.  Instead, he promises to walk through these times with us.  As a result, we must endure as we faithfully walk with him and trust him.

One other thing stood out to me in these verses. The realization of God’s lavish provision in the midst of his enemies caused David to say something significant,

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”

What does David mean by “follow”? I think Constable again points out something very important about David’s statement. He said,

“‘To follow’ here does not mean to ‘bring up the rear’ but ‘to pursue vigorously.’”^[2]

Isn’t it encouraging and comforting to know that God vigorously is pursuing you and me to lavishly meet our needs in the midst of trouble?  May you and I continue to trust him to care for us and thank him for his abundance.

Father, thank you for helping me see something new in this very familiar Psalm.  Thank you for the truth that you are with us in times of trouble and you lavishly meet our needs as we walk with you. In fact, you will vigorously continue to do that!  Help me to walk by faith in your promises and display Christ’s character in the midst of all challenges. May you protect our country, our leadership and your Church at this time.

Following Jesus with you,

 

 

^[1] Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Ps 23:5.

^[2] Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Ps 23:6.