81 I am worn out waiting for your rescue, but I have put my hope in your word.
82 My eyes are straining to see your promises come true.When will you comfort me?
83 I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke,but I have not forgotten to obey your decrees.
84 How long must I wait? When will you punish those who persecute me?
85 These arrogant people who hate your instructions have dug deep pits to trap me.
86 All your commands are trustworthy.Protect me from those who hunt me down without cause.
87 They almost finished me off, but I refused to abandon your commandments.
88 In your unfailing love, spare my life; then I can continue to obey your laws.89 Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created.
91 Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves your plans.
92 If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery.
93 I will never forget your commandments, for by them you give me life.
94 I am yours; rescue me! For I have worked hard at obeying your commandments.
95 Though the wicked hide along the way to kill me, I will quietly keep my mind on your laws. 96 Even perfection has its limits, but your commands have no limit.
What do we do when God is late?
One of the most frustrating things about faith is waiting on God. We identify a problem that only God can resolve and we obediently take it to Him. then...we wait. Why is it that God doesn't appreciate the urgency of our needs? Yet, scripture says God is working for us "before we even think to ask."
Today our Psalmist is struggling through this reality. "I am worn out waiting for your rescue...My eyes are straining to see your promises come true. I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke..." Now here is a man who is at the end of his patience. He's worn out, straining to see an answer and just plain shriveled up. We've all been through times like this. It's what we call the "desolate night of the soul", that time in our life when, with a sense of panic, we wonder if we're on our own. In fact, through my years of ministry I've seen countless folks give up on God simply because "He didn't come through when I needed him." It's a tempting reaction, but it belies and arrogance unbefitting people of faith.
Giving up on God because of His "lack of timing" is the purist form of spiritual childishness. "I want it...and I want it now!" We don't let our own children get away with it but we trust God to let us slide.
So...how does our Psalmist respond to his dilemma?
1. I have put my hope in your word.2 I have not forgotten to obey your decrees.3. All your commands are trustworthy.
4. I refused to abandon your commandments.
Submission and obedience are difficult demands when the "author and finisher" of our faith appears unresponsive. Yet, our writer keeps a proper perspective by reminding himself...and God...that he will not waver from the demands God has placed on him. What was it Job said? "Though He slay me, yet will I trust him".
He reminds himself of the truths he knows about God: "Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created. Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves your plans".
What are you waiting for today? Don't lose confidence in the God we serve. Everything serves His plans...and that's a good thing.
Live boldly out there today...
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