I have noticed a pattern in many of the Psalms, especially among those written by David. They begin with a plea, but before the prayer ends, there is an attitude shift. The new attitude partially consists of praise, but there’s something else as well. There is a certainty of victory.
I have often wondered how David, plagued as he was by one season of strife after another, could stand so confidently in an assurance of victory. Lately, though, I think I might be beginning to see.
David waited.
I like to pray over a request and then move on. The answer will come, right? God will solve the problem, won’t He? I just have to wait for His action. Right?
Wrong.
David did not pray and then wait for God’s action. He prayed and then waited for God’s presence. A quick glance at David’s life reminds us that God frequently did not act quickly in his circumstances. Saul chased him for years. He had one set of family problems after another. In fact, in some situations, David’s circumstances never did become pleasant. Yet, he knew victory because he considered God’s presence and peace, not a change in circumstances, to be the victory.
So often when I pray, I lift up the request and wait for an action. I wait for provision or healing to come. I wait and expect. But, when the action is delayed or does not happen the way I think it should, I begin to falter. I have to come again and again with the same request, trying to increase my ability to trust.
I don’t need to wait for action. I need to wait for the Spirit’s presence! He grants me confidence of victory regardless the circumstances. He gives me peace. He empowers me with endurance. He enables me to rest while He works, even when I cannot see His actions.
I want to learn to wait like David did. I want to wait for the presence of my God.
Not Quite Ordinary 