Both Hope and Quietly Wait
by
pamela spurling
O, how I love the Living Word
of God. I know I've told you before... His Word is so living to me that I believe it could
fairly pick itself up off the table and walk---O, how I thank the LORD for His Living
Word! Lamentations 3.21-26 "This I recall to my mind, therefore have I
hope. It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions
fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion,
saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him,
to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for
the salvation of the LORD."
In my heart I have such a burden for Christian women
to rest in the LORD, to trust also in Him and to wait on Him. I receive many letters from
women who are hurting, lonely, grieving, discontent... So many burdens, and yet, our LORD,
our Merciful LORD knows all these things and is fully able to carry all of them. He
is fully able to dry every tear, to bind up every wound and to heal every broken heart.
This hope---this promise---is what I pray to convey to you today.
At the beginning of each new year, it seems that we
realize the need for getting things right---ordering up our homes, our schedules and time,
making time for the LORD each day, doing well in school and making time for studies... a
subtle discontent seems to govern our thinking. It seems we run to this idea, to that
book, to this or that Bible study... when, really, only one thing is needful: we must
learn to both hope and quietly wait on the LORD. His compassions fail not, His mercies are
new every morning: great is His faithfulness. I pray that as you look ahead to the
vast canvas of the new year, that you'll join me in resting in this great hope and that
you, too, will quietly wait on the LORD.
Maybe you are looking at the year ahead with
dread... maybe there is great joy you are anticipating---but, maybe there is also great
pain you will need to face. None of us know the day or the hour of the LORD's return, none
of us know the day or the hour of anything that lies ahead---but we really can count on
and really can trust in the LORD who loves us and gave His life for us has a plan for
us---each one---and we can trust that it is very good. I know that I'm writing to some who
are facing many difficulties---many uncertainties and it's with discouragement that you
look ahead. I'm sure you must feel that you are standing at the edge of a cliff surveying
the valley beneath, feeling very alone. I pray to encourage you that you are not alone,
the presence of the LORD is all around you and you are never alone. He promises to never
leave you, nor forsake you. This is a promise in which to both hope and quietly wait.
If you're a mama with a wayward child---no matter the
age, I understand the grief and the disappointment you bear inside. I understand the tears
you shed as you stare at the ceiling from your bed in the darkness of the night. O, sister
in the LORD, could I encourage you to see the Hand of the LORD holding you and bearing you
up. I pray that you will lie down on your pillow and that your sleep will be sweet. Trust
in the LORD and rest under the shadow of His wings... He loves that wayward child---died
for that wayward child---such were *we* before *we* answered the gentle knocking at the
door of our heart. That child cannot outrun the LORD and no darkness can shield that child
from His sight: nothing escapes His gaze.
If you're a wife whose husband is unsaved or, maybe
more difficult, is saved but not walking with the LORD, then I pray that you'll rest in
the LORD... that you will both hope and quietly wait on Him. I pray that the LORD will
strengthen you to trust in Him and to dwell beneath His feathers... that you will have the
quiet confidence and gentle assurance to walk as God's precious woman whose price is far
above rubies. I pray that your quiet conversation and gentle spirit will draw that man to
the LORD's side. I pray that you will not be afraid with any amazement and that strength
and dignity will be your clothing. The LORD has promised to care for you and to meet your
needs. I pray you won't fear what tomorrow will bring, for the LORD knows what you need
even before you ask Him. If your are anticipating a year in which there appear to be
many changes, then I pray that you will both hope and quietly wait on the LORD to order up
all the details and to trust Him for the outcome.
I had begun to fret over whether I would be able to
do the many things needed to be done---and then the LORD brought to mind: hope and quietly
wait on Him... The LORD knows all these things and the timing of these has not been a
surprise to my loving LORD. I'm trusting in the LORD. "I will praise thee; for I am
fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right
well." So as I write in my journal, and as I read His precious Living Word, I
know that in faith, I can both hope and quietly wait on Him.
Mark 7.37 "...beyond measure astonished...He
hath done all things well."
I so often hear of women seeking to study this or
that book or study... seeking to implement this or that schedule---as if we are all
looking for all the right components to be gathered and put into place, then every thing
would finally come together and things would really work out great. I pray that in our
searching... in our desire to live a godly life before the LORD, that we will both hope
and quietly wait on Him...
Psalm 43.5 "...hope in God: for I shall yet
praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God."
pamela spurling ~ © 2001 ~ achristianhome.com
