When God Calls Us to Wait

The psalmist David knew it well:

“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” – Psalm 40:1–2

No racer wants to be stuck on pit row waiting for repairs while the rest of the drivers race by. The longer they sit, the more difficult it is for them to reach their goal. But pit road is there for a reason; without skilled technicians supplying the fuel, repairs, and other work the vehicle needs to perform, the race becomes futile at best or dangerous at worst.

There are times in our lives when God calls us to wait so that he can help us work on our hearts, our minds, our attitudes, and even our health. Sometimes during these pit-road experiences, God helps us to understand what’s been slowing us down. Once God gets us back to our “firm place,” we can run our race much more effectively, pursuing our goals with renewed energy and focus.

If you find yourself sidelined or in the pits today, think closely about the work God may be doing in your life. There’s no greater expert to consult to get you back on track, because as David also wrote, “You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways” (Psalm 139:1–3).

Devotional from the NIV Fuel for the Race of Life New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs.