“THE REWARDS OF PATIENCE” I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2). He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. PSALMS 40:1-2
The Scriptures contain many stories of people who waited years or even decades before the Lord’s promises came to pass. What modern believers can learn from the patience of biblical saints like Abraham, Joseph, David, and Paul is that waiting upon the Lord has eternal rewards.
One such individual was David, who was the chosen heir to Israel’s throne, but he spent years dodging King Saul’s wrathful pursuit. Despite having two different opportunities for vengeance, David resisted the temptation and spared Saul’s life. He chose to adhere to God’s timetable for his coronation instead of dishonoring the Lord by killing the divinely anointed king. David’s psalms reveal his intimate awareness of the Lord’s work in his life. The shepherd king not only achieved his objective through patience; he also observed that God’s way was always best.
David left behind an incredible testimony of God’s faithfulness for each of us to read and meditate upon. He was committed to waiting upon the Lord, and as a result, he had the Father’s approval and blessing. We cannot underestimate the reward of living in divine favor. That isn’t a special state reserved for “giants of the faith” like David. All who obediently endure until the Lord acts on their behalf abide in His favor.
David didn’t receive his blessings because he was special; he was honored among men because he honored the Lord above all. And since he trusted in God’s faithfulness, he endured hardship with patience. We, too, can expect to be blessed when we wait upon the Lord.
-IBC
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