Waiting Is Good for Us

Originally published as a blog post by Harvest Prayer Ministries

I’m sitting on a plane, hoping they can fix the tire and we can take off only an hour delayed. I do a lot of this . . . sitting and waiting in and around airplanes. It’s good for me. I’m not a patient person by nature. I don’t like delays. I’ve got stuff to do! That’s why this is good for me.

Learning to wait is critical for the life of prayer. Scripture is filled with commands about waiting on God. “LORD, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God” (Psalm 38:14-16). “But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me” (Micah 7:6-8). Why waiting?  Because it’s good for us. Lamentations 3:26 reminds us “It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” Waiting takes me off of my schedule and my agenda and . . . if I do it properly, puts me on God’s schedule and His agenda.

So now . . . I wait. Rather than fret, I close my eyes and turn my thoughts to the Lord. I ask Him what His agenda is for this day. And . . . I write the blog I needed to write!

Addendum: After this blog was published, I received an email from someone I have never met. It encouraged me that sometimes, when God changes the trajectory of our plans and intent, His words can bring life and encouragement to another. And a step beyond even this reminder - those we encourage often bring that to us as we are obedient to the Lord:  Dave, your comments on waiting on God are excellent, and have blessed me. I want to pass along to you a poem which the Lord gave me many months ago as I meditated on Romans 8:28. It relates to what you said:

God Works Behind the Scenes (Romans 8:28) 

God works behind the scenes 

His wonders to perform. 

How wondrous are those works, 

We stand in awe of each one of them. 

When things happen we can’t explain 

Just pause to consider – He is busy at work. 

Don’t doubt, don’t get up tight, 

Our God is in control. 

Satan would make us always doubt; 

He never believes God’s Word. 

He knows not the mind of God, and he hates to see His plan succeed. 

But when we see God’s works in motion, 

Believe He is perfecting His Word. 

He performs what pleases Himself, and in the process we are blessed. 

Don’t fret and fume and get upset. 

God is on His throne in heaven. 

He also lives within our hearts – and there He ordains His peace. 

“I know the thoughts I think toward you,

 Thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

Those words of God to Jeremiah are true. 

Behind the scenes we know God is at work to faithfully execute His plan. 

Time is but the schedule He’s set which He never fails to bring to pass. 

Halleluiah! Praise the Lord! 

From age to age we worship Him 

‘Cause He is faithful to keep His Word – And His Word is changeless. 

“Never be anxious”, says the Lord. 

“Never worry when you don’t understand. 

My thoughts are often beyond your grasp ‘cause I AM God and you are man. 

“Just stand in awe and praise Me. 

Bow in reverence before My majesty. 

Say, with the angels, ‘Halleluiah! 

You alone are worthy. You alone know best!’” 

Lord of all, I’ve heard Your voice. 

You’ve spoken, oh, so clearly. 

Let me never, ever, doubt Your love. 

I know what You say is so. 

All things do work together for good, to those who love You, 

To those who are called according to Your glorious purposes. 

Remember…God does work behind the scenes. 

Remember…He is on the throne. 

Remember…He is always in control. 

Remember…all is for our good. 

Amen and Amen.

Additional Addendum from Kim Butts: Even though Dave’s original blog was very short, it seems the scriptural mandate to wait on the Lord has a weighty impact on many! Just as Dave was taking his last breath prior to opening his eyes in heaven - his waiting over, this song was playing in his hospice room. In his honor, I want to share those lyrics. The song was also sung at his celebration of life:

I Will Wait for You (Psalm 130)

Out of the depths I cry to You

In darkest places I will call

Incline Your ear to me anew

And hear my cry for mercy Lord

Were You to count my sinful ways

How could I come before Your throne

Yet full forgiveness meets my gaze

I stand redeemed by grace alone

I will wait for You, I will wait for You

On Your word I will rely

And I will wait for You, surely wait for You

'Til my soul is satisfied

So put Your hope in God alone

Take courage in His power to save

Completely and forever won

By Christ emerging from the grave

I will wait for You, I will wait for You

On Your word I will rely

I will wait for You, surely wait for You

'Til my soul is satisfied

Now He has come to make a way

And God Himself has paid the price

That all who trust in Him today

Find healing in His sacrifice

That all who trust in Him today

Find healing in His sacrifice

I will wait for You, I will wait for You

Through the storm and through the night

I will wait for You, surely wait for You

For Your love is my delight

Oh, I will wait for You, I will wait for You

Through the storm and through the night

I will wait for You, surely wait for You

For Your love is my delight

I will wait for You, I will wait for You

Through the storm and through the night

I will wait for You, surely wait for You

For Your love is my delight

Oh, You are my delight

You're my delight

I will wait for You, I will wait for You

On Your word I will rely

I will wait for You, surely wait for You

'Til my soul is satisfied

Songwriters: Keith Getty / Stuart Townend / Matt Merker / Jordan KauflinI Will Wait for You (Psalm 130) lyrics © Getty Music Publishing, Matthew Merker Music, Jordan Kauflin Music