Waiting intentionally

 

In the very first verse of Psalm 40, David tells us to wait in a certain way:

I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He reached down to me and heard my cry. (Psalm 40:1, NASB)

The NASB translates it "patiently," while others translate it "intently." What does David mean? After all, waiting on the Lord is a pretty common theme in our Bible . . . . perhaps the clue is in the translation "intently." From the commentaries that I studied, it seems this is not a passive kind of waiting. Not like when you are cooling your heels waiting for the doctor to see you, so you flip through the magazines to pass the time. It seems to be more of an active, intentional waiting - a time when the pit situation tunes our hearts to the Lord in ways we might not normally experience. It seems to be an exhortation to wait expectantly - because we know God is faithful to His promises. The more intense our situation, the more intently we focus on our Lord. No twiddling of thumbs, here!

Also in verse one, David mentions that waiting means to cry out to God for deliverance. To ask for His help. And in verse thirteen:

Be pleased, Lord, to rescue me;
Hurry, Lord, to help me. (verse 13)

God's timing often does not coincide with our timing, as we have seen in our previous studies. We may ask Him to hurry. We may even want an instant answer - but God may have other purposes. But it's understandable when you are in a pit, there is a sense of urgency! Sometimes, though, we don't see the pit or realize we are in one. Especially when we are talking about those who need salvation. They may see themselves as "good people," or even "good sinners" who try hard and aren't as bad as some they could mention. They may admit that they could use a little help now and then, but they certainly don't need a Savior.  Humans often don't see the need for a Savior unless they are helpless at the bottom of a slimy, mud-filled pit. Because we think we can do it ourselves most of the time. So, the Lord patiently, graciously allows us to be in one pit after another, to give us the opportunity to cry out to Him.

Waiting intently on the Lord means trusting only Him. In verse three, David hopes that because of his testimony, others will trust God. And in verse four, he mentions how blessed is the person who has made the Lord His trust. Waiting on Him means that we know He's our ONLY hope for deliverance.

Waiting intentionally also means that we are counting His many wonders and the times He's shown His care. Remember, we said this is not "passively" waiting, but actively waiting. Obviously, waiting gives us time to think - but we should direct our mind in the right paths. We don't need to think we've been abandoned, or that we are doomed, and get to panicking. Instead, we should think about the wonders He has created and the times He has delivered in the past.

Many, Lord my God,
    are the wonders you have done,
    the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
    were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
    they would be too many to declare. (v. 5)

I kinda put this alongside of Psalm 104; David may very well have been thinking about the wonders of creation. God established the earth so that it is hospitable for human beings and for the animals who dwell here. We are at the proper distance from the sun - closer and we'd burn; further and we'd freeze! He waters the earth; He guides the comets and meteors to keep their distance; He sweeps the clouds with His hands to control our atmosphere for life here. 

David might have been thinking, too, about the many times in history and in his own life, that God "came through." God brought the people out of Egypt and preserved them in the wilderness. He guided them in battles and saved them from powerful foes. In his own life, David had seen God deliver him from lions and bears, not to mention from the giant, Goliath, and from King Saul.  We believers can think back to times when we were at a low point and God delivered us. So, as we wait on Him, in whatever pit we're in, we can recount His wonders and blessings toward us.

Waiting intently also means obedience. Check out verses six through eight . . . we can wait while you go and read them . . . .  David is not saying that sacrifices are bad. He is saying that what God really wants is an obedient heart that delights in doing His will.

I desire to do your will, my God;
    your law is within my heart. (v. 8)

David is affirming exactly what the prophet Samuel told disobedient King Saul in I Samuel, chapter fifteen. He said that "to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams." To apply this to our lives today, it simply means that when we are in a pit, we must focus on obeying the Lord, even if He doesn't deliver us quickly from the trial. The devil will (of course) try to tempt us to give up. He'll dangle something shiny in front of us and say that it's time to stop trusting in the Lord. It's time to seek fulfillment in other ways. He'll whisper, "What are you still waiting for? God isn't meeting your needs." Oh, believer, don't listen to him! Keep obeying God's Word while you wait for Him.

Lastly (and I bet you're glad that I said that - this post has gotten lengthy!) waiting intently means seeking Him and rejoicing in His presence. 

But may all who seek you
    rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
    “The Lord is great! (v. 16)

If we are seeking the Lord (not just deliverance from the pit) then we won't forget about God after He delivers us. It's tragic, but many believers miss out on so many blessings because they "use" God just like they would use Aladdin's genie: they put Him back on the shelf after they get what they want! Instead, David says that God should be magnified, or glorified. By seeking the Lord alone, He gets the credit when He delivers us. And there is no doubt from verse sixteen, David was rejoicing about his deliverance when it came.  But David makes a special point to be glad "in the Lord."  When we are delivered from our own pit, we find God as our special treasure -- we can rejoice in all that He is, as well as what He does for us.

So, are we in the pit today? Are we waiting "intently" on the Lord? Let's commit to stay away from asking the world for answers. Let's turn to the Lord. Cry out to Him; trust Him; count His wonders and the times He has been faithful; obey His Word, seek His presence; rejoice in Him.

We will finish our study of Psalm 40 tomorrow.