Among the mysteries of life is the experience of waiting. Defined as choosing to delay action to allow a future event to unfold, waiting is not easy for humans. We have a drive to figure things out, and it’s this uniquely human drive that draws us to know God.
We experience waiting at every stage of life. When I have time with my grandchildren, I’m filled with expressions of unconditional love, a calm, relaxing enjoyment of being with them, appreciation of their imaginations, admiration for their development and creativity, and joy and warmth watching their playfulness. My grandchildren fascinate me. Because they are so honest, they tend to say it like it is.
The topic of waiting came up not long ago while we were enjoying back-to-back games of Don’t Break the Ice. Our games began with careful taps of the hammer and loads of giggles. To add to the silliness, I pretended it took great concentration to tap away ice cubes as the ice grew thinner and the drama increased. Each of us tried to avoid being the one to knock the penguin down. No sooner did the penguin fall than we’d assemble the ice cubes and prepare for the next game. That’s when my 4-year-old granddaughter exclaimed, “This is trifficul!” Her honest yet respectful admission obviously meant waiting for the setup was difficult. It wasn’t fun.
Waiting can bring up big emotions for a 4-year-old. In children, typical emotions generated by waiting are frustration, anxiety, regret, annoyance, and uncertainty. Adults who are in a season of waiting may feel the same, and even perceive it as unfairness, powerlessness, helplessness, or fear of the unknown.
In my granddaughter’s young mind, she was stuck in between a great game and the boredom of its necessary setup. Sometimes the hardest place to be is in between. And let’s be honest, no matter your age, it just ain’t easy to wait.
When David wrote Psalm 62:1-8, he was waiting and under attack from his enemies. Amid the challenges, David rejoices that his hope, even in the in between, is set on God who never fails.
For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.
3 How long will all of you attack a man
to batter him,
like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.
They take pleasure in falsehood.
They bless with their mouths,
but inwardly they curse. Selah
5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
jpour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah
Men sought to destroy David. His confidence was reflected in finding refuge in God. Being delivered from fear, his unwavering trust was in God alone as his “rock,” “fortress,” and “salvation.” The lesson is that we trust God to some extent, but we need to trust God alone.
Exhorting his soul to wait on God, David repeats the appeal, “O my soul, wait in silence.” Perseverance in following God is a steadfast commitment to maintaining faith and trust through trials and weariness. It involves actively relying on God’s strength to endure. Hebrews says it’s characterized by running with endurance, keeping our eyes on Jesus.
David faced betrayal and slander, yet resolved to not be shaken or give up. As violent men pursued him, he showed that waiting on God is not about the rescue he got at the end of the wait, but what he became because of the waiting. Not just in good times, but always, “pour out your heart” and trust in Him.
God is with us in our waiting. He understands and holds all our circumstances for his glory and our good. Few seasons draw us closer to God than when we are waiting. For there, in the waiting, we experience his presence and power rather than going it alone. As my granddaughter acknowledged, waiting is trifficul. But God is our only refuge!