Devotionals

Watchind and Waiting

by Anne Adams
04/08/24
Free to Share
Author requests article critique

  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

Tweet

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. (Psalm 40:1 NIV.

Do you like to wait?  Phillips Brooks certainly didn’t.

Though today we know him best as the author of the Christmas carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” in the late 1900s Brooks was a popular clergyman in his Episcopal Church in Boston. Once describing himself as just “a parish priest and though not much of one,” he drew large crowds to his church, sometimes preaching not from the pulpit but from the chancel steps – as do many ministers today.

Still, like with most of us sometimes Brooks obviously had to cope with waiting in some way. This was evident one time when a friend found him anxiously and nervously pacing his office. “What’s the matter?” The friend asked.

Brooks paused mid stride and turning to the visitor he sighed with an admission. “The trouble is that I’m in a hurry but God isn’t!”

Sound familiar? It may since on our spiritual journey we frequently have to wait as we anticipate an answer to a fervent prayer. It might be for something specific, perhaps some encouragement or maybe some just some guidance. However, it can certainly be frustrating when we don’t get an immediate answer. And especially since, as Brooks said, our time schedule is not God’s. In fact, sometimes we may even wonder if He even heard us!

And if that’s the case then the Psalmist reassures us – that God had definitely heard his prayer – and logically inevitably there would follow a divine response. Maybe not immediately – but eventually – but not only with the perfect answer, but at the right time. And always according to his plans and will for us

Then when that happens then along with the Psalmist, we can experience release and relief – and as we rely on the Lord’s perfect timing.  For our benefit and his glory.