DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017
Waiting for God’s Rescue
One biblical example of patient waiting is found in the story of Joseph (see Genesis 40–41). His opportunity to interpret the dreams of the royal cupbearer and royal baker seemed arranged by God to free him from his unjust imprisonment. Yet when the cupbearer was set free, he forgot all about Joseph! Joseph waited two more years in prison until the man finally remembered and Joseph was brought before Pharaoh to interpret his dreams.
Waiting for God’s rescue isn’t easy. By definition, whatever we’re waiting to be rescued from is troublesome or painful. It might be imprisonment, illness, unfair blame or exploitation, or another difficult situation. This next section in our month’s study addresses the purpose of waiting. We’ve studied what it means to wait on the Lord, but what specifically are we waiting for? God’s rescue, help, or deliverance is the first of six answers to this question.
Psalm 40 is a classic expression of this kind of waiting and its results. David had experienced it many times. He knew that he had to wait patiently and the Lord would come to his aid. God would listen, lift him out of the pit (the problem), set his feet on a rock (the solution), and put a “new song” or “hymn of praise” in his mouth (vv. 1–3). The initial reason didn’t matter—it might be external troubles or David’s own sin (v. 12). The result is what mattered—more glory and worship rightfully given to God.
Paradoxically, waiting in patience and trust is therefore a blessing (v. 4). But how can this season of waiting for God be a blessing itself? Because it is patience and trust aimed in the right direction, toward God, who works wonders at will and is incomparably above all (v. 5). Our waiting will not be in vain!
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