The Joy of Glory

Psalm 69:1-14 (click here)
I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.

…zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.

But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. Deliver me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters.
(Psalm 69:3, 9, and 13-14)

Reflection
Waiting.

We are not a people who like waiting. Is anyone?

I’m inclined to think that no generation has ever been especially keen when it comes to patience. In fact, I think that impatience has often been the mother of innovation. We want things quicker, faster… now.

Waiting on God is particularly difficult. And this is true because of who we know God to be. He is love, he is kind, he is good, he is glorious, he is… he is… he is…

And yet so often we must wait for him. Have faith in him. We must trust that he is at work even when we cannot see it or perhaps when everything around us tempts us to believe the exact opposite!

We are not the first generation of Christians to feel this way! The Psalmist himself has grown weary crying out to God… so much so that his throat is parched! Have you ever prayed until your throat ran dry and your voice began to crack?

And the reason the psalmist is in such dire straits only serves to compound his confusion. It is because he is zealous for the Lord and his house that he finds himself an object of ridicule. People who hate God hate him too!

This has brought about much hurt and suffering in the psalmists’ life. He feels as though he is drowning… all the while waiting on the Lord to life him up to walk on the water. Where is his savior?

The temptation here is to let his impatience be the mother of innovation. To make a move to save himself, defend himself against his enemies, fight and fix the situation. Think about Abraham and Sarah and God’s promise to give them a son. Their impatience led to innovation… perhaps we can figure out a way for God to keep his promise quicker… perhaps God needs our help.

Yet, the psalmists does not give in to the temptation for innovation. “But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.”

He waits.

He trusts.

He puts his faith in the God who is faithful, even when he cannot see that faithfulness coming to fruition.

Wherever you are… whatever your waiting looks like… wait in faith. Trust his faithfulness. Trust him.

Wait.

*All previous devotionals may be found at www.thejoyofglory.com
*The complete SVCC Lenten reading guide is available here.