Waiting

Psalm 40:1  •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 5
 
Psalm 40:1
It is Christ's perfect life, and sorrows at the close of it, in which He refers to the faithfulness and goodness of Jehovah, so as to lead His people to confide in it, instructing them in this in which His perfection is shown. "I waited patiently for Jehovah" (J.N.D. Trans.). Patience had its perfect work-an immense lesson for us. Flesh can wait long, but not till the Lord comes in-not in perfect submission- and confiding only in His strength and faithfulness, so as to be perfect in obedience and in the will of God.
Saul waited nearly seven days, but the confidence of the flesh was melting away-his army. The Philistines, the proud enemies, were there. He did not wait till the Lord came in with Samuel. Had he obeyed, and felt he could do nothing, and had only to obey and wait, he would have said, "I can do nothing, and I ought to do nothing, till the Lord comes with Samuel." Flesh trusted in its own wisdom, and looked to its own force, though with pious forms. All was lost. It was flesh which was tried and failed. Christ was tried. He waited patiently for Jehovah. He was perfect and complete in all the will of God. And this is our path through grace.