Impatience leads to error. 

Unforced errors lose games. This is true in tennis, football, baseball, and life.

It is interesting how the Apostle Paul begins his description of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4. He says, “Love is patient. Love is kind.”

I’m guessing most of the mistakes I have made in life, and there have been plenty, have been the result of impatience. 

God’s delays are not denials, we have heard. Some things are worth waiting for, we have said. Patience is a virtue demonstrating confidence in God. God is never early, never late. He is always on time. 

Things work out best for those who keep in step with him. This lesson was demonstrated again and again in Genesis. We will see this lesson again and again across the pages of the Bible. 

In the pages of this Bible book, Exodus, the people move when the pillar of cloud lifts and goes before them. They stop when the cloud stops. This is a good rhythm to learn and to live. When God says, “Go,” go. When God says, “Stop,” stop. 

Today is the fortieth day of the year. If you read a psalm a day, this brings us to Psalm 40. Verse 1 says, “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.”

David goes on to tell us what happened next in God’s perfect timing. 

      2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, 
         out of the mud and mire; 
         he set my feet on a rock 
         and gave me a firm place to stand. 
      3 He put a new song in my mouth, 
         a hymn of praise to our God. 
         Many will see and fear the LORD 
         and put their trust in him. 

The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Ps 40:2–3.

Our faithful waiting, patience, not only serves us well, it also leads others to see God for who he is and engages others in praise and thanksgiving. 

Waiting is a witness. 

How can we make the most of our time spent waiting? Moses prayed a couple of powerful prayers in Exodus 32. See verses 11-14 and verses 31 and 32. Waiting is a good time to learn to trust God in prayer, to tell him what you need, and to thank him for all he has done (Philippians 4:4, 7). This removes the anxiety that so often leads us into impatience and its negative consequences. 

Wait and pray. Pray with Moses in Exodus 32. Pray with David in Psalm 40. Pray with Paul in Philippians 4. Wait on God in the company of those who likewise waited and prayed. Refine your prayers as you strip away those desires more focused on what you want and less focused on what God wants (Psalm 37:1-8; especially verse 7). This turns waiting into a grace.

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