We’ve all been there waiting for an answer to a heartfelt prayer and feeling uncertain about how long it will take for God’s response to come. It’s a universal experience. After pouring out our deepest desires, the silence can become almost unbearable, tempting us to doubt, or to concoct backup plans just in case He takes too long to come through.
Yet, learning to wait patiently on the Lord is not only an acquired skill but also an essential one. David, who experienced the joys, exiles, and conflicts of life, encapsulated this truth in Psalm 40:1: “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.” The repetition in the original Hebre qawa dawa emphasizes its importance, translating literally to “to wait, I waited on the Lord.” David’s double mention underscores that patient stillness is pivotal to growing one’s faith.
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.” – Psalm 40:1 NIV
David is telling us that he persevered through his prayers and awaited God’s answer. In doing so, he experienced personal growth and a deeper faith. Similarly, waiting can help cultivate perseverance within us. Romans 5:3-5 elaborates on this process: “…perseverance produces character; and character, hope.” (You can read the full passage here.) When we are patient and look to God for wisdom and direction, we become more attuned to recognize His work in our lives, deepening our trust and reliance on Him.
Consider faith as an anchor keeping us steady in stormy seas or divine guidance as a lighthouse illuminating our path in the darkness. These metaphors remind us that God’s timing and methods are always purposeful, even when we don’t immediately understand them. Waiting patiently not only displays our trust in God but also dynamically enhances our faith, shaping us to be more like Christ.
Heavenly Father, we come to You with hearts full of hope and moments of impatience. Teach us to wait upon You with trust and patience, as David did. Help us to recognize Your hand in our lives and to grow in our faith through the periods of waiting. We seek Your wisdom and guidance, knowing that Your timing is perfect. Thank You for hearing our cries and turning to us in love. Amen.
If waiting has been taxing your spirit, remember David’s example and the hope mentioned in Romans. Your perseverance is building character and cultivating hope.
Welcome to a special place where we think about God as the day ends. We believe every evening is a chance to think about our day and be thankful. Our goal is to give you a calm place to feel close to God.
At Sacred Evenings, we are a group of people who love to share the beauty of quiet moments with God. We have stories, devotional, short prayers, and thoughts that help you think about God. We want you to feel the magic of every evening.
Our journey is based on the Bible verse, “Be still, and know that I am God…” (Psalm 46:10). We invite you to stop, breathe, and find God as the day ends. When the sun goes down and it gets quiet, we believe these evenings are a gift. They remind us of God’s love and invite us to be closer to Him.
Join us on this journey of faith and thinking deeply. Whether you need help, comfort, or a quiet moment, you are welcome here. Let’s enjoy these special evenings together, as we get closer to God and each other.