“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” — Psalm 40:1-3
There are definitely seasons when waiting patiently for the Lord sounds a lot easier than it actually is.
For the past three months, I have been in persistent back pain. Over the years, I’ve dealt with lower-back issues from degenerative disc disease, arthritis, and mild scoliosis. Probably from all the years of slinging my guitar around… or maybe just bad posture.
But during these past few months, it has been especially difficult to find relief. Because of this, I’ve gone to chiropractors. Also, I’ve purchased a new mattress and new insoles for my shoes. Along with that, I stretch every day. I’ve tried to do the things I know to do. And still, the pain comes barreling in during the middle of the night.
That means that (even with the sleep issues that are already all too familiar to me), I find it even harder to get rest. Many nights, lying awake and hurting, I find myself simply saying, “Jesus, help me learn quickly whatever You have for me here.” I don’t say that because I’m particularly good at suffering. I’m not. Complaining comes pretty easily to me.
And I certainly don’t share this to minimize anyone else’s pain. Some of you are walking through things far more difficult than a bad back. Your struggle may be physical, relational, financial, emotional, or spiritual. Maybe you have been praying for something for months—or years—and nothing seems to be changing.
It’s Not Wasted
I share this because Psalm 40 reminds us that waiting is not wasted time. David says, “I waited patiently for the Lord.”
Then something beautiful happens.
• God hears him.
• God lifts him.
• God steadies him.
• And then… God gives him a new song to sing.
Several years ago, I heard a story that has always stayed with me.
I was at a pastor’s conference and two of my heroes of the faith (Herschel Martindale and Dennis Clark) were also there. They were speakers at the conference. Herschel was in his late seventies, and he and Dennis were sharing a hotel room.
During the night, Herschel suddenly became terribly sick. He ran to the bathroom and began vomiting. Maybe it was a stomach bug. Possibly food poisoning. Whatever it was, it made him miserable.
Imagine being that sick while sharing a hotel room with someone else! After several hours of poor Herschel vomiting, Dennis finally suggested that they go to an Instacare. Or, at the very least, that Dennis get him some medicine.
Herschel responded with words I have never forgotten, “Let’s not be hasty. The Lord may have something to teach me here, and I want to listen.” What a response.
I’m still blown away by it because I know how quickly my response can be: “Jesus, make this stop. Fix this. Jesus, get me out of this.”
And there is absolutely nothing wrong with asking God for relief. Scripture invites us to cry out to Him. David for sure did.
Perhaps
But perhaps there is another prayer we can learn to pray alongside it: “Jesus, while I am waiting, help me listen.” Christian, I do not mean to minimize your pain—or even my own. But perhaps there is a new song right around the bend.
Perhaps there is something the Lord wants to teach us here. Maybe He is deepening our dependence on Him. Possibly He is revealing something in our hearts. Or He is preparing us to encourage someone else. Could it be He is reminding us that our strength was never supposed to come from ourselves in the first place?
Psalm 40 doesn’t say David enjoyed the pit. Nor does it say the mud didn’t hurt. Also, it doesn’t pretend waiting was easy. No, it simply reminds us that God stayed with him in the waiting. And eventually, the God who heard David’s cry put a new song in his mouth.
Never forget: Jesus is always close to the brokenhearted. And when we suffer, we are not praying to a Savior unfamiliar with pain. Of course Jesus understands suffering. He experienced betrayal, exhaustion, rejection, physical agony, loneliness, and ultimately the Cross. Without a doubt, He understands.
Help Me Wait
So, this week, I’m hoping to get some uninterrupted sleep. As well as hoping to find some real relief. Along with hoping my back starts feeling better. But in the meantime, I’m asking Jesus to help me listen. Maybe He has something for me here.
And whatever you are waiting through today, perhaps this can be your prayer, too, “Lord, I want relief. I want You to change this. But while I wait, help me listen. Teach me what You have for me here. Set my feet upon the Rock. And when the time comes, put a new song in my mouth.”
The waiting isn’t forever. A new song is coming.
With you even in uncertainty,
Posted in A Word from the Pastor