Wait for Him

Daily Reading: Isaiah 25

Scripture Focus: It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” (Isaiah 25.9)

Devotional Thought: Have you ever grown impatient waiting for something?  If you're like me, you want results, and you want them now!  I remember growing impatient during a building program at my first pastorate, in Kings Mountain, North Carolina.  One of the leading building committee members was supposed to install the copper grounding rod for the building's electrical circuits.  It seems like I waited and waited and waited for that rod to be installed so we could pass inspection and move on to the next phase.  Finally (probably a wait of only a few days!) I went to the hardware store and bought the needed materials.  That day, I talked to my friend and told him what I had done.  He said, "Pastor, you should have waited.  It's already done.  I finished it yesterday."  I felt really sheepish!  I've kept the grounding clamp on my desk ever since - as a reminder to wait upon the Lord and as a reminder to allow him to work through others.

The people in Isaiah's day grew impatient as they waited on the deliverance of God.  Through the prophet, God reminded them that though he was going to bring them earthly deliverance, he had an even greater deliverance in mind.  He was going to "make for all peoples a feast of rich food... and swallow up death forever... and wipe away tears from all faces" (Isaiah 25.6, 8).  Yes, God said, waiting is hard, but I will save the one who waits for me.

Are you growing weary?  Are the burdens you carry weighing you down?  Do not lose heart, friend.  Instead, wait for your God that he might save you.  You will then "be glad and rejoice in his salvation."

Prayer: O God, I know that you are always working for my good. I trust you even in the midst of the storm.  Even in the delay, O God, I wait for you!  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 59.10-17

10 My God in his steadfast lovewill meet me; God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.

11 Kill them not, lest my people forget; make them totter by your power and bring them down, O Lord, our shield!

12 For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips, let them be trapped in their pride. For the cursing and lies that they utter,

13 consume them in wrath; consume them till they are no more, that they may know that God rules over Jacob to the ends of the earth. Selah

14 Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city.

15 They wander about for food and growl if they do not get their fill.

16 But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.

17 O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.