Day Forty-Four

Today we begin a time of preparation for the celebration of Pentecost, which will happen this coming Sunday.

Yesterday we examined the ascension of Jesus, and as the story ended the disciples were left with a very clear promise from Jesus:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”—Acts 1:8 (NIV)

They had been instructed to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit comes (Luke 24:49), and as we considered yesterday, there must have been a great deal of excitement and anticipation. It wouldn’t surprise me if there was also a little bit of uncertainty and trepidation—they had absolutely no idea what to expect. All they knew is that something was about to happen. Something big. Something important.

Even though you and I live in what’s often called the “church age,” after the day of Pentecost and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we can identify somewhat with that kind of uncertainty. We all have known (and perhaps know in this very moment) what it is like to be waiting for the Spirit to move in a particular situation. God does not comply with our schedules, and we often find ourselves facing times when we are impatient for him to move.

I wonder if the disciples felt a little bit of that as well. Were they impatient? Eager to get started in their work? Did they ever stop in those days following Jesus’ ascension and wonder, “What’s taking God so long?” They’re human, so I wouldn’t blame them if they did.

But I also assume they spent much of that time praying through their waiting, preparing themselves for the coming gift, even though they didn’t know what to expect. And when we are waiting on God to move, but unsure just how he will, there is really one prayer we can offer—surrender. The prayer of one who waits is a prayer that declares, “Lord, I trust what you are up to. I trust your timing in this. I offer myself to whatever you have planned, and joyfully anticipate the move of your Spirit.”

Psalm 27 is a wonderful prayer for the waiting soul. Written by King David, it is clearly a prayer birthed out of crisis…a crisis that has yet to be resolved:

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
so why should I tremble?
When evil people come to devour me,
when my enemies and foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
Though a mighty army surrounds me,
my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
I will remain confident.

The one thing I ask of the Lord—
the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
delighting in the Lord’s perfections
and meditating in his Temple.
For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
he will hide me in his sanctuary.
He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
Then I will hold my head high
above my enemies who surround me.
At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,
singing and praising the Lord with music.

Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
Be merciful and answer me!
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
Do not turn your back on me.
Do not reject your servant in anger.
You have always been my helper.
Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me,
O God of my salvation!
Even if my father and mother abandon me,
the Lord will hold me close.

Teach me how to live, O Lord.
Lead me along the right path,
for my enemies are waiting for me.
Do not let me fall into their hands.
For they accuse me of things I’ve never done;
with every breath they threaten me with violence.
Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
while I am here in the land of the living.

Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”—Psalm 27 (NLT)

David’s words are filled with heartfelt praise, honest heartache, passionate pleas, and powerful declarations of trust. Each of these are part of waiting—in waiting we worship, we cry, we ask, and we cling to God.

If you are in a season of waiting right now…take David’s words to heart.

If you are not in a season of waiting right now…take them to heart anyway.

And as you approach a day celebrating the gift of the Spirit, let this reflection on waiting help you enter into the hearts and minds of Jesus’ disciples. May you find in this week a sense of excitement and anticipation, knowing that two thousand years later, God is still up to something.

Something big.

Something important.

Waiting here for you
With our hands lifted high in praise
And it's You we adore
We're singing Alleluia

Read the rest of the lyrics here.

Questions for Reflection

1) Think back over your journey with God and reflect on seasons of waiting you have known. How has God shaped you through those times when he didn’t move as quickly as perhaps you had wanted?

2) If you are in a season of waiting right now, think through the movements of Psalm 27 and examine your heart and soul to see which of these resonate most with you right now and why:

Praising God for who he is
Expressing heartache to him
Pleading and interceding for the situation you are facing
Declaring your trust in him despite your current circumstances

3) Spend some time contemplating this quote about waiting:

“This is the most precious answer God can give us: wait. It makes us cling to him rather than to an outcome. God knows what I need; I do not. He sees the future; I cannot. His perspective is eternal; mine is not. He will give me what is best for me when it is best for me.”—Vaneetha Rendall Risner, The Scars That Have Shaped Me: How God Meets Us in Suffering

4) Read and reflect on this passage of Scripture. Let it lead you into prayerful worship and gratitude:

“I waited patiently for Adonai.
He bent down to me and heard my cry.
He brought me up out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire.
Then He set my feet on a rock.
He made my steps firm.
He put a new song in my mouth—
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and trust in Adonai.
Blessed is the one
who put his confidence in Adonai,
who has not turned to the arrogant,
nor to those who fall into falsehood.
Many things You have done, Adonai my God
—Your plans for us are wonderful—
there is none to be compared to You!
If I were to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to count!”—Psalm 40:1-5 (TLV)