One of the things I do when I’m reading Scripture is to be on the look out for me. Well . . . not actually “me” . . . but references to the people of God. The thinking is that you can learn something about how to be “the people of God” by taking note of how God, through His inspired Word, refers to those He has claimed as His own. This morning, I’m reminded that God’s people are those who wait.

Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
         all you who wait for the LORD!         (Psalm 31:24 ESV)

Psalm 31 looks to be another of those “I’m going through the ringer, Lord” type of Psalms. As David recalls instances of God’s deliverance in the past, he cries out for speedy rescue from the trials of the present (v.2) . . . needing a way of escape from “the hand of my enemies and from persecutors” (v.15). And in his plea for mercy and his cry for help (v.22), David affirms the Lord as his Rock and Fortress (v.3) . . . looks to God as his refuge (v.1) . . . pleads with God to be gracious to him (v.9) . . . acknowledges that his times are in God’s hand (v.15) . . . and, as such, commits his spirit into God’s hand (v. 5).

And in so trusting . . . David becomes one of those who wait.

In other Bible translations “wait for the LORD” is translated “hope in the Lord”. But it seems that the literal translation of the Hebrew word is “wait” or “tarry” and thus, by implication, means “to be patient” or “hope.”

And really, isn’t part of being a child of God about waiting? Whether it’s enduring a trial today . . . or looking for direction for tomorrow . . . or anticipating His glorious return some day . . . we are those who wait. Sometimes we don’t know how we’ll get through the day, but we always know Who has promised to never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5). There may be times when we don’t where we should be going, but can know a peace that passes understanding because He has promised to lead us “beside still waters” and “in paths of righteousness for His name sake” (Ps. 23:2-3). There may be times when we just don’t know . . . but know that He does . . . and so we wait.

And in waiting, there is knowing . . . an experiential knowing of the presence of God to sustain . . . the power of God to deliver . . . and the promises of God to direct. In waiting . . . in trusting . . . in hoping . . . there is an encountering.

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.   (Isaiah 40:28-31 ESV)

Be strong and let your heart take courage . . . renew your strength . . . take on wings of eagles . . . those who wait.

By His grace . . . for His glory.