WHAT I LEARN WHILE I WAIT

Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His words I do hope.  My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning—yes, more than those who watch for the morning.  O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.   Psalm 130     

When I fall into the pit of despair, I am in the depths.  In this pit, I cry out to God: “Lord, can You hear me?  Please hear my prayers!”   

“O Lord,” I continue, “I know I have sinned and not obeyed all Your commands.”  I know the Lord forgives me when I confess my sin.  I ask Him to forgive my sin and cleanse my heart.   

When I don’t get an immediate response, I wait for the Lord.  This is not an easy process; I’m an impatient person.  But I don’t give up; I put my hope in His Word.      

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS

While I wait, I want to do something constructive.  Without direction, I do things by myself and for myself.  I learn from God’s Word that while I’m waiting, He wants me to be focused on Him: studying His Word and praising His Name.    

While I’m waiting, I learn to hope in the Lord.  The Lord tells me I don’t have to constantly be doing something for Him; the “thing” He wants me to do is to praise Him with all of my being.   

While I’m waiting, I learn about the mercy of the Lord.  Since I’m still alive, He must have a purpose for my life.  The question is, am I achieving His purpose for my life?  Sometimes I confuse the purpose I have for my life with God’s purpose.  The only time I know they are in sync is when I’m following Him and He's blessing me spiritually by showing me what He wants me to do.    

While I’m waiting, I learn about the Lord’s redemption.  He keeps watch over me because He has already purchased me for Himself.  Since I belong to God, I should listen for His direction, so I can do what He says.    

Lord, thank You for redeeming my soul!  Please help me remember to praise You while I wait!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.