The Waiting

Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. —Psalm 33:20 NJKV

High winds, wetter snows, melting snows, ice storms, power outages, dark days and foggy nights, wildlife stirred by warming temperatures, and back roads now dotted with weight limit signs … and mud! All marks of the back side of the beautiful New England winter.

March is a month of not doing a whole lot other than waiting out late season storms, dodging the infamous pot holes, slogging through mud, and longing for the buds to begin. It does have its beautiful side … no black flies yet, and the Maine state bird, otherwise known as the mosquito, is still nowhere to be found. The honking of returning Canadian geese as they fly overhead brings such a feeling of “Yes! We’re going to make it through the winter!”

Winters are long and harsh in New England, and March can seem even longer, especially when spring fever strikes. But our winters are a great picture of a season that comes into our lives: waiting times. Those times filled with “stuff” that keeps us from what we consider “normal.” Maybe an illness, a pandemic, a loss, a crisis … or maybe just a really dry desert time in our spiritual life. Whatever it is, it’s not easy watching other people all around us busy about life in the normal, everyday kind of doing, serving, and ministering, while we’re sidelined.

Today’s verse gives a feeling of confidence. The Psalmist, in this beautiful hymn of praise to the sovereignty of God, is choosing to wait on the Lord rather than jumping in and get doing on his own terms—or sitting back in frustration that he can’t. Notice he says “the LORD” is his help and shield. He’s not relying on himself. Sounds so simple, but, oh, so hard to remember when we’re in the midst of things we want to fix ourselves … or hurry up and get through.

Though the author appears to be unknown, it’s thought that it could have been David who wrote this psalm. We know that David’s life was far from easy. Sprinkled with restful, peaceful, and fruitful times, it was most often filled with tough times, fearful times, dry times, times of waiting, and times of needing God’s provision and protection. Whoever the author is, it’s obvious that he cultivated a life of praising God in the good times that helped him in the bad times.

That’s the key, isn’t it? How we are with God in the good times. I’m reminded of Daniel’s actions when he was under pressure, “he went home … and … he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days” (Daniel 6:10b NKJV emphasis mine). He, like this psalmist, didn’t wait for the crisis moments to cultivate the habit of spending time with God, time in praising and thanking Him. It was their long-acquired custom from back there in the good times.

I’m not writing this as one who has this all down pat. Not at all! I’m pretty impatient, ashamedly so. I like to read the end of the book and watch the end of the movie first to see if it’s worth slogging through or enduring the suspense. I like to know how things are going to work out ahead of time, like as in yesterday! I want to just do it and get it done now, so I don’t have to think about it later. Maybe it’s the New England Yankee in me, but a two-hour visit to anywhere, and I’m ready to head home, no matter how much I’m enjoying my time.

One thing, however, that I am beginning to grasp is that when I do spend that time with God in the good times, it goes a whole lot better in the rocky times. I am finding that He often does His greatest work in my heart when He has me staying back with everyone’s luggage while they’re out in the trenches, back where I can’t do anything, but sit there and listen and talk to Him.

I like how the psalmist puts the word “our” in this verse. It makes it easy for me to insert my name as I read it. “I, Donna, wait on the Lord. He is “my” help and “my” shield! The habit of prayer! Let’s join the psalmist and ask God to be our help and our shield … in the good times, before the hard times hit.

Daddy, cultivate in me a heart of patience, a willingness to wait and call on You for all things and in all seasons with peace and contentment. Help me to talk with You often in the warmer seasons of life so that when the winter ones come, I’ve already cultivated that wonderful habit. Thank You that You don’t leave us in waiting times forever, that it’s only for a season. Help those I love who are in a season of waiting to be reassured that their season is not for keeps … but that You are! I love You, Lord!

“… let God be God on those little days.
And He’ll be God there on the bigger days.
Why do we wait until things go wrong?
When we could have Him by our side all along?
Let God be God in the best of times, and He’ll be God
When you’re going through the worst of times.
When you need God to move in mighty ways.
When you need God to be there on the bigger days, pray on the little days …”

“Pray on the Little Days,” lyrics by Mark Bishop

Safe in His care,
Donna Perkins

Sweet Selah Ministries

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

 Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)

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