Psalm

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NASB	Psalm 33:2 Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings.
AMPLIFIED 2015	Psalm 33:2 Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; Sing praises to Him with the harp of ten strings.

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Bible Question: Hello Everyone, my name is LeAnna,

My question is on the word 'wait' used in this Scripture...I looked it up in Strong's and the definition was stillness, quiet, and trust. How do we hone the skill of silently waiting on the LORD?? Is it something that happens as we grow in the Truth or an attribute that the Holy Spirit builds in us?? I ask because I am a new Christian, and I find it hard to wait for things. But I want to live and walk in God's ways. So, can anyone help me with this question?

Thanks! LeAnna

Bible Answer: Dear LeAnna,

Welcome to the forum!

This is a very good question.

"Waiting on the Lord" is an oft used phrase in religious circles. We think of it as an aspect of piety, but I suspect we rarely really think it through. Basically it simply a matter of patience with God.

When we are impatient with people, it is simply a matter of having a higher opinion of our judgement, convenience, and time table over that of others. This is easy to understand when we imagine scenarios: Imagine a King who must wait on the preparations of his servants. The king can be demanding and impatient. In his role, it is not his place to be patient with the servants. The servants in their role are to wait on the king's pleasure, never the other way around. The role of the servant is to be prompt and obedient in his service, anticipating the will of the King in an effort to fully satisfy his will. I think that picturing that in an earthly setting helps us understand how we are to serve our heavenly King.

Certinaly patience is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Nevertheless, as with all of progressive sanctification there is a combination of our endeavors coupled with the work of the Author and Completer of our faith.

Therefore, to help us consider the question, let's imagine a situation in which we are asking our Lord for a boon -- as we are commanded to do in Scripture (Hebrews 4:16). Let us further imagine that it is in alignment with the expressed will of God -- for we should never pray for that which is contrary to God's will as we understand it and as it continually unfolds. Thus, let's say we need employment, so we are praying for a job.

When we feel impatience, the root may have several causes. As you think about this, think back to specific statements in Scripture that address the answers. Perhaps we are anxious about the ultimate results of our lack of employment. Does God care about us, is it His intention to care for us? Does God hear our prayers? Does God have the ability to lead us to a job? Does God really know our abilities and the places of employment around us?

See how knowing God's attributes, as He has revealed Himself in the Word (Hebrews 1:1-2), helps us to evaluate our impatience?

Of course, a certain amount of stress is a good thing. For example, hunger drives us to work in order to eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

Therefore, we don't just sit; we persist in our prayers and follow it up with a diligent search for work. We use the current circumstances as effectively as possible to grow in the Lord. We have hope -- i.e., a confident expectation -- that "in the fullness of time" He will provide for us.

Thus, the feelings can be a sort of microscope into our heart. We may identify those things that are faulty in terms of our accepting the truth (the Word) and our accepting the lie about God. The feelings can be used to ferret out the faults, correcting our doctrine and knowledge.

Feelings also can manifest into two areas: what we speak and what we do. Of course, any feeling that leads to saying or doing that which is sinful, needs to be brought captive to Christ, and left before Him without resulting in an act. The feelings are not in themselves sinful, they are simply there. As Luther said, "I cannot help the birds that fly about my head, but I can keep them from nesting in my hair."

This is probably more of an answer than you wanted. However, I hope that it helps you to see that "waiting on the Lord" is not something mystical. Working it through can be very helpful and very practical. When you finally fully grasp the Truth, everything else begins to fall into place.

In Him, Doc