Text: Psalms 40:1-3
“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. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.”
INTRODUCTION
To wait is to stay where one is, or to delay action until a particular time or until something else happens (Google Dictionary).
In the Biblical context, to wait is to suspend your actions; to bring yourself down before the Lord and let Him have His way in your life.
As a matter of fact, it’s not easy to wait. This is the foundational problem of man since creation. God originally integrated waiting/patience into the program packaged to perfect His work on the man. The inability to wait is the cause of trouble many are into today.
Murmuring is a soft, indistinct sound made by a person or group of people speaking quietly or at a distance. It is a sound made out of the agony of long awaiting promises, unpleasant feelings, and disappointment.
Murmuring is a sign that someone is ingrate, impatient, uncertain, and has lost focus.
If you read Exodus 16: 2-15, the people of Israel murmured against God and He proved Himself to them. Many who murmured while passing through the wilderness, because of their unbelief, perished in the wilderness.
Rick Warren says, ‘…there’s always a delay between planting and harvest. When you plant a seed in the ground, you don’t get an ear of corn the next day. You plant in one season, and you harvest in another.’ (Daily Devotional, June 17, 2021).
God will be speaking to you as we explore the said topic in subdivisions.
What happens when you are waiting?
• YOUR STRENGTH SHALL BE RENEWED;
• GOD IS WORKING OUT SOMETHING BETTER & GREATER FOR YOU;
• GOD FILLS YOUR MOUTH WITH TESTIMONIES.
May you be richly blessed as you navigate through this inspired Word of God.
1. YOUR STRENGTH SHALL BE RENEWED
Eagle can be used as a metaphor to demonstrate waiting and renewal of strength. Among birds, Eagle has extraordinary power to soar higher above mountains. When it is getting weak, it will fly to a very high mountain and hide there. The process is called ‘moulting.’ Eagle will stay there for 150 days. During this period, the old feathers will be removed to be replaced with new ones. An African adage in Yoruba says, “AWODI LOSIBA LO RE YE…”
The Bible makes it clear in Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint.” When you cultivate the habit of waiting on the Lord, you shall find your strength renewed. During that period God is working something great in your life. David testified to this in the anchor scripture up there; “I waited patiently…” Not murmuring, but with great expectations and a song of praise cum assurance.
I am encouraging you to be a bit patient; it won’t be long for your expectation to come to fruition.
2. GOD IS WORKING OUT SOMETHING BETTER AND GREATER FOR YOU.
Your anxiousness cannot fast-track the plan of God for your life; it will only weigh you down. God is in the process of bringing out the best in your life. He uses your period of waiting to get His plan ready for you.
All the great people mentioned in the Bible experienced their waiting moments, even Jesus Christ endured His waiting period to perfect the work of redemption.
Some challenges would tend to arise in the course of waiting that might want you to be murmuring, just summon the courage and know that tough times don’t last.
David spent years on the field taking care of his father’s flocks, he didn’t give up. He later made it to the palace.
Joseph faced hell in his own waiting period, yet he didn’t give up. He too got to the palace.
Elisha exercised patience to get a double portion of his master’s (Elijah’s) anointing.
Jesus Christ, while eating with His disciples, gave them this command in Acts 1: 4, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.” It took them 50 days to wait for the fulfilment of this promise after the ascension of Jesus Christ. It is always being said, ‘It is not how far, but how well.’
Rick Warren once said in one of his daily devotionals, ‘While you’re planting and waiting, you can trust God will provide grace so that having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (June 17, 2021). Individual time of waiting is different, so you must endure your period of waiting because God is working out greater things for you.
3. GOD FILLS YOUR MOUTH WITH TESTIMONIES
No one is identified in the time of waiting because it’s a time for lone cross-bearing. The pains and weakness you are feeling are what no one can help you with, but God.
David could boldly say this, “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 was the only one who could explain how severe the experience was with him. During the waiting period, he saw God with him, and that gave him the courage to say; “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.” That’s the testimony.
Your mouth shall be filled with testimony too, and the pain will soon be over. Whatever waiting period you are going through right now will surely expire very soon. Don’t give up; never compromise. Activate your faith, you are next in line for a miracle. The whole world is waiting for your manifestation and testimony, it will be widely heard.
Conclusion
Murmuring will do you no good than to poison your mind with negative thoughts. Murmuring is also an act of rebellion against your God. Instead of murmuring, render songs of praise and worship your God. He is bigger than all the situations of your life.
Finally, let the Lord have His way in your life. Give your life to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and He will see you through.
Let’s pray:
1. Father, I thank You because You are always there for me.
2. I’m very sorry for my acts of rebellion through murmuring.
3. Have mercy on me, O’ Lord.
4. Lord, give me strength to be more patient with you.
5. Father, perfect everything that concerns me.
6. My God and Father, let my life bring glory to You.
7. Lord, fill my mouth with testimonies. Amen