“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14 ESV)
We used to have to wait for everything!
When I was a kid, we did not have many of the modern conveniences we enjoy today. We washed our clothes in an old ringer washing machine with two rinse tubs. The wet clothes would have to be fed through the ringer and into the tubs, then back through the ringer and hung out on the lines to dry. It was before permanent press (wrinkle-free technology), so our clothes had to be ironed before we wore them—laundry day was very laborious and time consuming. Most of what we ate was also not convenient. There was no such thing as fast food—everything was made from scratch and took time to prepare. We didn’t have microwave ovens, ice makers, food processors, instant coffee makers, or quick foods like one-minute-rice. Our phones were attached to the wall and the line was shared by a number of families—we all had to wait our turn. And we were all used to waiting for things.
Things are different now!
All our convenience appliances do everything fast, often completely by themselves. We have instant entertainment, food delivery, drive-through restaurants, real-time communication, overnight shipping, and the Library of Congress via the internet at our fingertips—it’s all instant gratification. In today’s world, we hardly have to wait long for anything.
We want God to work fast, too!
God does things in His perfect timing but that may appear slow to us. But, He is to be patiently waited for with faith!
“For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” (Hab. 2:3 ESV)
Therefore
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.” (Psalms 37:7-8)
“Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.” (Psalm 25:4-5 ESV)