Psalm 37 Wait

 

Psalm 37

7. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;

10. For yet a little while...

34. Wait on the Lord, And keep His way, And He shall exalt you to inherit the land.

This time again I hear God speaking to me through this single word "Wait"! 

That's a doing word that almost discourages one from doing anything. Or so it seems.

I remember early in my medical career, the "watch and wait!" advice young and enthusiastic doctors were given in certain situations. A case in point was that of a fetus in distress. I was in a primitive medical setting, where the electricity went off around the same time a Caesarian section was indicated. At that time,  despite medical indications, the external circumstances prevented us from doing anything heroic. I remember, knocking on the door of the sleepy hospital management office in the middle of the night (somehow I don't remember telephone systems clearly at that point in time, or maybe they simply did not respond to our calls). I was curtly told that the generator had broken down and there was no way they could arrange for the repairs before morning. With no system of medical audit in place in that situation, I distinctly remember feeling sorry at the easy expendability of human lives. I also recall, that we would have so many patients to handle, that it was simply not possible for us to give undivided attention to any particular patient. Yet, I monitored the case and did whatever I could that arduous night. When morning came, the baby was born, perfectly healthy. The mother too was safe. We had waited, unable to do anything, yet the final outcome left us relieved and happy!

The situation today seems so similar. A sense of helplessness to external circumstances. Yet, I listen closely to what the psalmist says in the first few verses of Psalm 37; "Do not fret, do not be anxious", "Trust in the LORD!", "Do good", "Delight in the LORD!" and "Commit your way to the LORD!". That is quite a handful of things to "do" while waiting. 

Since "time" is so linked to the concept of waiting, the picture I get is that of an old watch that needs internal repairs. As each part of the watch in repair needs to be painstakingly worked on and aligned with other parts and pieces, God is working, while we wait, on our internal repairs and alignment to His purpose and will. 

In many of our illnesses, the best therapy is just resting till we recover. In times of spiritual duress too, we just need to rest in the Healer's care and comfort. "5 And He shall bring it to pass.6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light". It is reassuring to read that "18 The Lord knows the days of the upright, And their inheritance shall be forever." He knows our difficult days, he knows our waiting days. "39 But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble". Don't miss the emphasis on "He is", which reminds us that times of waiting are also times of getting to know Him deeper. Getting to trust in Him more.

The Pslam 37, ends reassuringly, just like the outcome of the healthy newborn in my story, there is deliverance. There is joy. 

39But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;

He is their strength in the time of trouble.

40And the Lord shall help them and deliver them;

He shall deliver them from the wicked,

And save them, Because they trust in Him.