I love adverbs, especially the one used here: I waited PATIENTLY for the Lord. The two little letters -ly tell us HOW to wait — patiently.

Waiting is a pause, an interval, a delay, and can be quite difficult to do. But … there are benefits that come our way when we wait. These are expressed in Psalm 40:1-3, written by David, who had to learn to wait during a time when he felt helpless and hopeless. The wait for David brought about good results- God results- as it will for us.

THE VERSES

Psalm 40:1-3 I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. He put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto God: many will see it, and fear, and trust in the Lord.

THE WAIT

He Is Our Headrest: As we wait patiently, God is going to incline unto us. Incline can mean to move your head or body forward toward someone or something. Yes, God will lean in to us so we can rest on Him. Can you picture it? God leaning in to be closer to us! Wow!

He Is Our Hearer: As we wait patiently, He will hear our cry. Psalm 56:9 tells us that when we cry to Him, our enemies will turn back. Exodus 14:14 explains that we do not even have to fight our battles- God is fighting them for us. Another Wow!

THE RESULTS

He Is The Handler: God is going to bring us out of the horrible pit. We can’t climb out, because a pit is a deep hole with the only exit at the top. But, God will reach down with His hand to grasp our hand and pull us out. Just reach up- He will handle it from there!

He Is The Holder: God is going to get us out of the slimy, soggy, sludgy, miry clay- in which we were getting ready to sink. No footholds in there, but God is holding on to us and is going to pull us out!

He Is The Healer: God is going to SET our feet on a rock. The word ‘set’ means to place in the proper or desired position. He sets us up! The rock- feels like a much better position than the mire and the pit! I can envision God brushing us off and saying, “There you go- healed and ready to move forward!”

He Is The Help: God is going to establish our goings. Establish means to set up or organize. ‘Goings’ are our steps in life- our path, plan, purpose, and sometimes even our pit. But, we sure don’t need to stay in the pit! God can take our mess and make it a message of His amazing grace and mercy.

He Is Holy: Yes, He takes us out of the mire and into the choir! God is going to put a new song in our mouth- one filled with praise!

He Is Our Hope: God is going to use our wait to guide others to fear (respect) and trust (rely on) Him. In this passage, God was establishing David’s testimony. In the same way, our tests will become our testimony!

So … hurry up and wait … patiently!