“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.” Psalm 37:7
Waiting patiently for God is one thing, but doing it while others appear to be “succeeding” is the problem. This has been the challenge for those of us who really want to trust God since the first man asked God, “Why” when the first book of the Bible (arguable “Job”) was written.
The biggest challenge for me is that I listen to the little small voice (the evil one) that keeps whispering to me these haunting questions:
-Am I doing this thing wrong?
-Is He disappointed with me for some reason?
-Am I no longer esteemed highly by God?
-Am I finally getting what I deserve?
These little taunts are the things that hamper me, break my stride and cause me to want to give up some days. But I take solace in knowing that King David—the one “after God’s own heart”— had the same misgivings and temptations. David and I are different in that he did not listen to the little imps that tried to bring compromise or doubt into his relationship with God. I have a long way to go yet.
Yet David remains my hero also because of his transparency and his ability to confess his shortcomings and sins and yet maintain a profound love for God. Say what you will about his poor performances as a husband, father or king—the man loved God with a passion unparalleled in the Old Testament. That is what I need to realize if I would “be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him..” I simply cannot dictate to God the time or manner in which He will come to rescue me, restore me or even take me home (and today would be fine!). But I can trust that He will bless me and that I will be utterly satisfied with what He does and the things He brings into my life if I will patiently trust Him and wait.
Finally, David commented that I should “ not fret when people succeed in their ways…”. I realize that there’s a very real temptation to be jealous when good (or bad)people succeed faster or move with greater acclaim than I do. I am apt to “worry” that they’re getting a bigger piece of the pie or I am being left out of my rightful inheritance, etc, if my eyes are upon circumstances and the unfolding events, instead of the One that is able to give me far more than I can hope for or imagine. But I must keep my mind stayed on Him.
But it’s worse when those that do not love Him appear to be passing me in the fast lane of life. Yet this has been what He has allowed since the time of Job—it’s the way He does things to discipline and teachHis own and I need to accept it. It’s all a part of that process of Him drawing me closer to Him by not spoiling me or blessing me, but by teaching me that the greatest blessing in life and eternity is not His blessings —-but Him only.
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