My title for this devotion is Calm Waiting vs Anxious Waiting.
One of the hardest things to do-at least in my mind-is to wait. For years I have said that God has three answers to our prayers: Yes. No. Wait awhile. We aren’t too fond of the No because that means we have been denied. We like the Yes because that means God has “agreed” with us about our need. It’s the “wait awhile” that is sometimes hard to accept.
David Rupert, in his new book Living a Life of Yes says there are three kinds of dreams: Fulfilled (Yes). Denied (No). And Delayed (wait awhile). The same thing said about answers to prayer can be said about dreams.
The delay-wait awhile-is tough. God’s promise to Abraham took 25 years to happen! Look what happened in the interim due to Abraham and Sarah’s inability to wait. They weren’t very good at it.
Neither am I. Maybe that’s why Psalm 131:2 spoke to me: “But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within.” A weaned child is being fed. He is content. I was struck by the words “calmed and quieted my soul.” So much of patient waiting relies on that…something I’m not very good at from time to time. But. need. to. get. better. at!
“Father, help me to learn to calm and quiet my soul. Help me to see your hand in my ‘wait awhile.’ Help me to wait calmly and quietly as you work. Help me to allow you time to unfold your plan.”
I will be in Ohio for most of this week bringing our job cleaning Jo’s sister’s apartment to an end. Next Sunday we drive there to load a Penske truck on Monday to bring things home. I will post this week as I have time and internet (she does not have it in her apartment). Your prayers would be appreciated.
A prayer about waiting is always in season. I wonder how many of us consider waiting to be one of life’s worst experiences.
Starting to see a theme in my study this morning and your post around waiting…
I think God may be trying to tell me something.
Praying for you and Jo this week as you finish up in Ohio.
Our internet is down until late Tuesday, so I can relate, Bill. You are both in my prayers.
Safe travels!
Oh, yes, WAIT…I know all about that. And it is hard. But, you know, I never looked at Psalm 131:2 as you have. I like how you see it. Content. I always looked at it as: as a child is weaned, he is a little more grown up now and can start making choices. The choice to wait patiently. But, I like how you say “A weaned child is being fed. He is content.” Oh, Abba, help me to be content!
I think that sums up a lot of us, me for sure.
I thought it would get easier as I got older, but alas, the weaknesses are still with me…
I share your prayer. And I’m praying for you and your work and trip.