How needful this word of exhortation, uttered through the psalmist by the Spirit of God! “Wait on the Lord:—wait, I say, on the Lord,” is for each of our poor hasty minds, that we may be found waiting on the Lord, in confidence and dependence, for everything, knowing that He will supply all our need, and that, “As a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.”
We are apt to make our minds up first, and then go to the Lord, asking Him for His; but this will not do, if we want His guidance and direction, we must go in singleness of eye to get it. And, oh! what precious promises we have: “They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isa. 40:3131But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31).) There is a promise from One who cannot fail to perform His own word. Look at the apostle Paul, in Phil. 3:13, 1413Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13‑14), and see how he was sustained with needed grace to run his course down here. “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” He was contented to leave all temporal things in the Lord’s hands, and the prize that was before him cheered him on—he knew he would soon be with Christ, the One who had won his heart and affections, and he could count everything loss for Him. And what a blessing, dear reader, to know that this same Jesus Christ is our object, the One who is “ the same yesterday, today, and forever.” May we know more what it is to be continually hearing the voice of this great Shepherd, whose love and care we are daily and hourly proving, while passing through this “dry and thirsty land, where no water is,” for it delights Him to have us ever listening to His voice. F. T. J. M.