When we are about to see a doctor, or in a bus terminal or airport, we will wait in a waiting room. The conditions of the waiting room may differ from one place to another. In the bus stop, it’s good enough if we have a shelter on top of our head. In the airport gate or bus terminal, we can expect to see some chairs and wait while sitting down. When we are about to see a doctor or dentist, usually we can even find some magazines or newspapers to read while waiting. In most of these rooms also, we can see how long we still need to wait.

However, with God, we usually do not know how long the wait will be. As we saw yesterday, all we know is that God will answer us right on time, but we have no clue what that means in terms of hours, days or years. Moreover, there is no guarantee that the “waiting room” would be comfortable. Joseph was waiting under slavery, then in a prison (Genesis 39). David was chased by his own father-in-law, taking care of about 400 outcasts (I Samuel 23). Jesus had no place to lay His head (Matthew 8:20). Though we do not know how long we shall wait nor how comfortable the wait will be, The Bible gives us a clear answer on where to wait.

Interestingly enough, the answer lays several verses before the command to wait. “One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.” 

-Psalm 27:4-5

David tells us that the most perfect place to wait is in God’s presence. Instead of being bored of waiting, he enjoyed the house of the Lord. Instead of being frustrated with the length of his waiting time, he changed his focus to the beauty of the Lord. Instead of complaining or asking around for advice, he directed his questions to God. Though he was on the run, he found rest knowing that God hid him in His pavilion, he felt at ease in the secret place of His tabernacle. Though his eyes might not see it, he knew that God set his feet high upon a rock, and he would not be shaken, for his hope was in the Lord. 

God gives us this encouragement through prophet Isaiah, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength” -Isaiah 30:15. It is only in returning to Him, back into His court and His loving arms, that we will find the quietness and confidence needed to endure the wait. He wants us to rest in Him and dwell in His presence, because apart from Him, there is no life out there. Today, return to God, and choose to wait with Him.

“If you abide in me, and My Words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you”. 

-John 15:7

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, please forgive me for waiting in the wrong place. Bring me back to where I belong, in Your house. Teach me to always wait on You in the right place, in Your presence. Help me to focus my attention on You alone; to behold Your beauty. Help me to continuously abide in You, and may Your word dwell in me. I choose to set my hope and trust in You, Lord Jesus, for You are faithful. In Jesus’ name. Amen.