Waiting on God

Passengers at a Houston airport were complaining about how long they had to wait at the baggage claim. So, airport executives hired more baggage handlers and cut the wait time to eight minutes. However, the complaints did not stop. Airport executives then tried a different approach. They moved the baggage claim so it was a seven-minute walk from the arrival gates. The complaints stopped.

Waiting for an answer to our prayers can be difficult and painful. In Psalm 5, David cried out to the Lord, laid his requests before Him, and then waited expectantly (v. 3). David’s particular problem was his enemies. Men were making false accusations against him (v. 9). These men were arrogant, bloodthirsty, and rebellious against God (vv. 5, 6, 10). It was so difficult that it caused David to lament (v. 1). The word translated lament literally means “groan” or “sigh,” a kind of confused muttering that comes from the depths of an anguished soul.

Amid suffering, David held on to hope. He knew God and trusted in His character. God was not “pleased with wickedness” (v. 4). He could not stand the arrogant and wrongdoer (v. 5). He detested Copyrighted Material 32 TALKING WITH GOD the bloodthirsty and deceitful (v. 6). He had also made a covenant commitment to David (v. 7). David asked God to be true to His character. That He would denounce the guilty and protect the faithful (vv. 10–11). But it was just that—a request. God would be the one to act in his defense.

We have all experienced times when life feels desperate. In those times, we can do what David modeled in this psalm. We can be honest with God about our plight. We can pray according to God’s attributes. And we can wait for God to act. Our hope is grounded in the character of God. There is no surer foundation than that.

Go Deeper

Why is it so difficult for us to wait for answers to our prayers? How does Psalm 5 encourage us in the waiting?

Pray with Us

Dear Lord, we find it so hard to wait! Impatience creeps into so many areas of our lives, from the ordinary delays of waiting in line to the significant waits involving broken relationships or answers to health concerns. Be with us in the waiting, Lord, and remind us to turn to You in prayer. Amen