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God’s King waited on him all his life
King David trusted in God not because he flew in on a cloud every time he was in need. He trusted in him not only because of his past experience of rescue but because of what he knew about God, his character and his steadfast commitment to his promises.
All he knew of God meant that even in the loneliest and hopeless of circumstances, from his youth to his old age, he could turn to him in prayer:
5 For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord,
my confidence since my youth…18 Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come. 19 Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things.
Who is like you, God? Psalms 71.
When surrounded by enemies, in the face of death, even when he was the enemy on account of his sin: still he trusted in God’s steadfast love and his sure faithfulness to his Word. King Jesus had this unwavering confidence in his father and in his darkest hour, he committed himself to him.
45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. Luke 23.
And so did God’s people before us
God’s people alike had this sure hope in God and they lived by faith, walking in the world as strangers waiting to live with the God they hoped for all their life. What a joy to have this as the heritage of our faith! How privileged are we to be the heirs of God’s unwavering promises, to wait on our faithful God, as we take refuge in his King, Jesus, like the saints before did!
11,39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
12, 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 11-12
Those who walk by faith walk not in their own strength or merely by wishful thinking but on the sure confidence we have in God and the strength that comes from his eternal Word as we wait for his glorious eternal dwelling.
8 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God endures forever.”31 … those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40.
I pray as “Father, teach us all how to wait.”
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A life in time to Preach 