#GrowingInFaith
Let us journey with the risen Lord, reconnecting with His Spirit and His word and growing in faith.
Wait for the salvation of the Lord
Let us read Lamentations Chapter 3, 21 – 31
21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
26 It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.
28 Let him sit alone in silence, for the Lord has laid it on him.
29 Let him bury his face in the dust—there may yet be hope.
30Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace.
31 For no one is cast off by the Lord forever.
While we were expecting an imminent return to what we would call ’normal life’, we learned a few days ago that confinement is extended for a period of one month. One more month is rather long for us who have not been outside for several weeks, have not worked or studied as usual, have not been in the physical presence of our relatives and friends or have not met with our church community for a long time...
Some of our future projects may have to be rescheduled or simply cancelled. This additional month seems like a hard pill to swallow... not to mention that schools will be resuming in 3 months! We are probably wondering how to organize ourselves for the coming months. What effects will this waiting have on our physical, emotional and spiritual health or on our finances or our family relationships... especially for those who are already struggling to get along with their relatives at this time?
Waiting is not an innate quality... it comes through learning. A hungry baby knows how to make us understand that he wants his food as quickly as possible. Children begin to acquire the notion of time around the age of 4 but parents will agree that it is only years later that children begin to understand “soon” and “wait”. As adults, our ability to wait is also tested at various times in our lives such as during this confinement.
The Bible tells us a lot about waiting and the attitude to adopt in times of adversity. We started talking about hope in last week’s meditation. In today’s text, we see the author who, after lamenting and feeling sorry for his sufferings, decides to call to mind that the Lord is his hope for salvation. He acknowledges that it is good to wait for the salvation of the Lord... and wait quietly! (v. 26, 28)
Can we also call to mind these words of hope during this time but also in all waiting situations in our lives (waiting for healing, work, family stability...)? It is true that we have our opinions and desires on how things should happen but the Word of God reminds us that "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” (Proverbs 16: 9)
Wait for God... for today, tomorrow, a month or more knowing that “A thousand years in (His) sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.” (Psalm 90:4). And in the waiting, let us declare miracles for us, our loved ones, our communities and our world because the compassions of the Lord never fail.
"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14)
Personal action
This week, I note all the waits I am currently experiencing and I proclaim words of hope on each of them instead of feeling sorry.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for reminding me that your compassions to me are new every morning. In the waiting, give me your perseverance and your joy. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.