by Tim Hall

I don't like to wait! I'm an important person (I think), and I have appointments to keep. I shouldn't have to wait in this long line at the post office. The traffic light ought to remain green long enough for me to get through (I'll help it a little). Doesn't the doctor know that I've got better things to do with my time? I don't like to wait!

Staring me in the face, however, is this injunction from God: "Wait on the Lord." There are two ways in which this word might be used. One is the idea of serving God. The person who serves me at the restaurant is a waiter, and perhaps that's the idea involved. But these people certainly don't seem to slow down. Is that what the Lord has in mind?

The second meaning of "wait" is the more frequent one. Consider Psalm 37:7-9: "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret -- it only causes harm. For evildoers shall be cut off; but those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth" (NKJV). Learning to slow down and patiently await the Lord's guidance is definitely the idea presented here.

There are many models of patience provided for me in the Bible. Abraham waited several years to receive God's promise of a son (Genesis 17:1-17). Joseph languished (unjustly) in prison before the butler remembered to tell Pharaoh about his remarkable abilities (Genesis 40:23-41:13). Moses lived 40 years as an obscure shepherd before God's purposes for him were made clear (Acts 7:30). Saul thought he was ready to immediately preach the faith he had tried to destroy (Acts 9:20-25); it actually took three years of reexamination of God's word before the Lord opened for him doors of opportunity (Galatians 1:18). Who knows how long the martyred saints had been waiting for vindication when they cried out "How long, O Lord?" in Revelation 6:9-11?

Who will deny that Christians living in the 21st century have a special need for patience? Our society is fast-paced. So many things call for our attention and energies. "One minute" how-to books are sure to become bestsellers, for everyone is looking for shortcuts. But are there shortcuts to spirituality and godliness (the "One Minute Bible" notwithstanding)?

Psalm 46:10 renews the call to patience in the presence of God (as do many other passages): "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

"Sorry, Lord, I just don't have time to 'be still' right now. But, hey, you know I appreciate you. When I get a little time, I'll start waiting on you."

Do you suspect something wrong with an attitude like that?