Day 170

Wait Patiently for God

Read: Psalms 34-37

When David fled from Saul, he sought refuge with Achish (Abimelech). However, when David realized he might be killed by Achish, he acted mentally imbalanced and so escaped. He then wrote this psalm, expressing his relief and gratitude for being spared from a dangerous situation. This psalm must have meant a great deal to the apostle Peter, who refers to it several times in his letters.

In Psalm 35, David is again faced with his enemies and pleads with God to rescue him. God’s timetable is often slower than ours. He helps us, but not as quickly as we would like. So David cried out, “How long, O Lord, will you look on? Rescue me” (v. 17 ESV). It seems as if God is just looking at the situation, but is doing nothing about it. How often we have felt that way? But David knows God and therefore knows the time of delivery will surely come; “I will thank you in the great congregation” (v. 18 ESV). Psalm 36 provides a contrast between the wickedness of man and the goodness of God.

Psalm 37 is a call to wait patiently for God to act. It tells us not to get upset when we see wicked people prosper while we are suffering. The time will come when that will change. Ultimately, the wicked will perish and the righteous will be blessed. Therefore, “wait for the Lord, and keep to his way” (v. 34).

PRAYER
Father, help us to be patient, knowing your plan for us is far better than ours. In Jesus’ name. Amen.