Psalm 40:1 – Are You Patient?

“I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.” (Psalm 40:1)

If you struggle with patience like me, this is a great verse of promise to call on while waiting on God’s timing. The psalmist trusted God, and we, too, can muster up the same belief in our Creator. God always responds, but perhaps his response is different from what we expected or hoped.

Context (Psalm 40): What a beautiful psalm of expectant praise in the midst of trials! The psalmist shares his experiences of patience and how blessings surround him alongside the trials. The confident hope is palpable that God will care and come to the rescue. In the waiting, the psalmist worships and remembers God’s provisions.

If you’ve ever experienced God’s hand of provision in your life, you have more reason to expect he’ll move again. Yet when you’re stuck in a waiting pattern, it can be difficult to remain patient. It doesn’t help that our society has become so focused on instant gratification.

What do we do while we’re waiting? I love the lyrics to the song, “While I’m Waiting” by John Waller. Listen here. We’re told to worship, to serve, to be bold and confident, and to remain obedient. It’s not easy to wait, but when we remain faithful, we can focus our attention on God and away from our situation.

Don’t forget one of the “fruits” the Holy Spirit gives is patience. Galatians 5:22-23 says, ^“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” I’ve experienced the fruit of patience in my life. It’s amazing when God gives us the grace we need to wait, to deal with frustrations. I was just reminded today by a friend when she thanked me for my patience. It can only be God because I’m the one who has been known to take a self-imposed detour to avoid waiting at a stoplight.

What are you waiting for? Let the words of this psalm and the praise song help you through this time. Let the truth of the promise calm your heart and give you peace.

Let’s pray. Lord, thank you for your provision of patience to endure times of testing and frustration. Forgive me for those times when I let doubt or worry creep in so that I feel weak or unworthy to serve you. I treasure spending time with you and am so grateful for all that you reveal to me in your Word. May I be obedient always in my seasons of waiting for you to move. In Jesus’ name. Amen.