It's good to think more deeply about the mercies of God in times of crisis. To help guide us in this effort, we'll consider Paul David Tripp's collection of meditations from Psalm 27 called "A Shelter in the Time of Storm." You can get your own copy on Amazon here.

Wait for the LORD;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the LORD

Psalm 27:14

In this morning's meditation Tripp focuses once again on the concept of waiting. Most of the time we aren't happy waiting on other people or for expected events. But God ordained all of the waiting in our lives and he has a productive purpose for it.

Waiting on God isn't about the suspension of meaning and purpose. It's part of the meaning and purpose that God has brought into my life...waiting isn't simply about what the child will receive at the end of his wait...Waiting is fundamentally about what we will become as we wait.

For that reason, I think waiting and prayer go hand in hand. Part of the purpose of our waiting is that it should draw us to call out to God in prayer, the tool he most often uses to change us. As we wait for release from difficulties, wait for the joy of anticipated blessings, and wait for the consummation of redemption, our hearts turn upward in prayer.

Questions to Consider

The questions are Tripp's. I included my answers in case they're helpful to read.

1. In what area of your life is God causing you to wait in order to restore you to what he created you to be?

-  Parenting is about waiting for your kids to learn, to mature, and to grow up. Through this waiting, God is teaching patience, but also self-awareness and humility. 

2. How are you responding to waiting? What would change if you responded to waiting by believing that it really is spiritually beneficial to you?

- I'd be less frustrated with those who are the proximate cause of my waiting. If this is for my good, and purposefully designed by God, why should I be so annoyed by it (and by them!).