Waiting, Quietly

The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. (Lamentations 3:24-26 KJV)

I looked for a graphic that showed waiting. I had something in mind, candles, vigils, groups of people – but I ran across this one while searching and was not used to thinking of angels as waiting – they are messengers, worshipers, ones who surround God’s throne. They have things to do. So do we. However, many times we are told to wait:

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. (Psalms 27:14 KJV)

Job did not have quiet. He had loss and the company of friends:

For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came. (Job 3:25-26 KJV)

David tells us that God makes promises, though it may take some time to see the results:

Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. (Psalms 37:34 KJV)

He also tells us that the Lord does hear us when we speak with the Lord in the stillness of the night:

But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. (Psalms 4:3-4 KJV)

Jesus is able to bring stillness, to calm storms:

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:39 KJV)

I love the time when Jesus stood still, but Bartimaeus did not remain quiet:

And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. (Mark 10:46-49 KJV)

And when God spoke quietly to Elijah:

And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? (1 Kings 19:11-13 KJV)

Never pass up an opportunity to witness or act in God’s service, but there are times when waiting quietly is best. Listen, suggested often by both Isaiah and Jeremiah:

O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD. (Jeremiah 22:29 KJV)