the patient waiter

Have you ever waited patiently for something so long, that you began to doubt if your patience wouldn't last until the fulfillment?  It can feel that way sometimes in our walk with God.  The Scriptures seem lifeless, the prayers seem empty, and worship has lost its appeal.  The Psalms illustrate the different phases and stages of our walk with God.  Sometimes the result is good and glorious, other times it’s a long, seemingly too long, process.  In Psalm 40:1-17, the writer is reflecting on how God has helped him, when it didn't seem like any help was available.
 “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.”  The writer knew from times past that if you wait, God will answer.  The deliverance from God is always a blessing.  It is a fulfillment of His promise that He will never leave us or forsake us.  What is interesting here, is the goal of the writer's prayer.  He has stopped rejoicing in His personal deliverance and has discovered that God's purpose in his testimony is to bless others.  Look at the second part of verse 3:Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. That’s spiritual growth.  What’s so interesting about this Psalm is long before his complaint, he testifies of God’s ability to answer, his history with God’s answering power, and the goal of blessing others.  When you get to Psalm 40:13, the writer shifts to his present troubles. In the last 2 verses, we see that our psalmist’s faith is intact while he continues to wait.  “But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the LORD!” As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me.You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!” (Psalm 40:16-17).  The Psalm ends with waiting.  Perhaps you wait today for an answer that is yet to come.  God has not changed. What He has done, He can still do.  The hope we put in Him is a hope that will carry through to His divine resolution. Praise God!