When was the last time you had to wait for something? In this world of instant messaging and same-day deliveries, we are trained to avoid waiting at all costs. Often, the information we want to know or the person we want to talk to is available immediately; we just need to open our smartphone.
When was the last time you heard from God? Although His presence is always here through the Holy Spirit, often He chooses not to speak until we slow down enough to listen. If you have not heard from God lately, perhaps this is your invitation to wait on Him.
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. –Psalm 62:1-2
The writer of our Scripture above was King David. For many years of his reign, he found himself in the midst of battle. Many enemies came against him, to badmouth him, spreading lies in an attempt to tear him down from his high position. Various people even came against him with deadly force, wrongly attacking him to steal his rightful kingship. There were no quiet moments of rest in the stressful situation he found himself.
King David had every right to long for better circumstances, and every temptation to hope in relief. He could have placed his hope in victory over his opponents, but where did he place his hope? “For God alone my soul waits in silence.” David knew that any temporary relief, any human reinforcements, any earthly victory were “but a breath,” and not to “set your heart on them.” In the midst of the chaos, David waited for one thing: the presence of God.
How did David wait? Did he frantically shout to the heavens? Did he run around trying to prepare his army for battle? “For God alone my soul waits in silence.” David waited in silence. He made room from the tasks of kingship, the demands of battle, and his swirling anxious thoughts to be still and wait on God in silence. God’s voice comes in where there is room to be heard.
Today, I will resolve to create silence in order for God to speak to me. When my schedule is busy, and I am harassed by all of the people and responsibilities on my plate, I will remind myself that my deepest need is the presence of God. I will create silence by putting down my phone in the in-between moments. I will not turn on a podcast or a video while I do the dishes. I will work hard when it is time to work, so that when the work is done there is more time and space for God to speak.
Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. For God alone, my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.
