A Risk Worth Taking

“Though it tarry, wait for it” (Habakkuk 2:3).

I think one of the most valuable lessons I have learned (and continue to learn) through the years, is that of sitting still. Sitting still may be an easy concept to grasp but it is very hard to put into practice. To wait upon the Lord requires a quiet mouth and a quiet mind—that would be no fretting, no complaining, and no worrying during that long (for isn’t any wait long?) period of “not moving” (Psalm 37:7). It requires a total trust in God, in His promises, and in His love. It means taking your hands completely off of the situation! It is setting your mind (and all that fills it—all those thoughts that just won't stop) down at the feet of Jesus! It is purposing to keep yourself at His feet!

Not too long ago I heard someone say that those who wait on God risk everything!

The world calls that foolish; God calls it most valuable.

Those who wait on God are vulnerable but they are never fragile—for their security is founded upon a rock that will never be moved. “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart” (Psalm 27:14). “I wait quietly before God…He alone is my rock…my fortress where I will not be shaken” (Psalm 62:6). There is nothing fragile about a rock! And no matter how we feel while we wait, our hold is firmly established on something much greater than our feelings—if we choose to trust the Father with the entire affair.

God shouts to His people through the prophet Isaiah: “Your strength is to sit still!” Shouts—that is what the scriptures say! He obviously wanted to get their attention—the Israelites where running around forming allies with other countries when God had already promised them the victory. We must be very careful not to do the same thing. When we are in our own little battles it is easy to forget God’s promised “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5)! We take up our armor and charge, either physically (through manipulation of others or rashly made decisions), or mentally (through spending way too much time considering all our options)! Declare your trust in that promise today—declare it by sitting still! Our actions (and reactions) say a great deal about what we believe…! Take time to evaluate yours today.

The wait makes our relationship with Christ more precious—it is because we have time (if we take the time) to know Him better. When we understand this concept we have a greater desire to sit still. How else would He get our complete attention? If we plead with God to change a trial to a blessing or fill lonely hours with companionship more then we purpose to commune with Him during the time of distress, we will never know true intimacy with Christ! When an anxious thought fills your mind this week treat it as an invitation from Jesus to “come in and sit with Me awhile”—for that is exactly what it is! The “prescribed waiting period” is not an endurance test—He actually enjoys our company!

Those who wait upon God have everything they ever need—their expectation is in Him—and they believe that what they lack He alone will supply (Psalm 62:5). “The Lord is wonderfully good to those who wait for Him” (Lamentations 3:25). Sitting still is hard to do when something needs to be done. There will be times when you feel you must make an effort to change something that is bothering you, right a wrong, or remove a trial. Before you take any action, spend time before the Lord pleading His intervention and surrendering every “idea” you have as to when and where. And then, do that one thing Naomi counseled Ruth to do: “Sit still, my daughter [my son], and see how the matter will fall” (Ruth 3:18). This verse alone has brought me comfort upon comfort. It is the command to not worry—to not get uptight—when life is confusing or downright upsetting! It is a command that comes with so much relief—realizing that there is nothing I can do or want to do apart from Christ. It is much easier to “sit still and see” than to worry about how in the world it is all going to happen. Wouldn’t you agree?

This kind of trust in Jesus will bring utter delight to your Savior…and that is what you should desire above all things. As our True Lover, it is the most intimate gift we can give Him—for it is our most precious possession. “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act” (Psalm 37:7).

“Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress, so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God” (Psalm 123:2). He loves our eyes—He wants them gazing at Him! So often our eyes are darting to and fro trying to figure out which way is the right way! There is obviously something powerful about placing our eyes upon the Savior—He didn't just say He finds the utmost pleasure in those that look to Him for everything but in the eyes of those that look to Him for everything! I believe it indicates a voluntary act. It is something I must choose to do—a conscious decision to look away from my all my fears, worries, and problems in order to fix my gaze on Christ alone! And that, dear friend, communicates volumes to the Lord!

Next time you find yourself anxious over any matter, remember what Jesus said to Martha in Luke 10 and rest in the utter simplicity of sitting still at His feet: “My dear [deana—try placing your own name here], you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it—and I won’t take it away from her” (Luke 10:42-43).

“Don’t be impatient…travel steadily along…He will honor you” (Psalm 37:34).

“Though it tarry, wait for it” (Habakkuk 2:3).