“It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”  Lamentations 3:26

Learning to Wait

I write this in the middle of the day, sitting at home with my dog on the couch. Waiting. Our country’s leaders have recommended that everyone stay at home when possible to reduce the spread of COVID-19. So I am working from home, waiting for the day when I can have lunch with my coworkers again. Waiting to see my students’ smiling faces in the classroom again. Waiting for stores to reopen. Waiting to attend Bible Study with my group of prayer warriors. Waiting to worship together. 

And I know these things are good things. I have faith that I will do them again, that God will work and life will return to normal. 

I even wanted to pray and ask God to move faster.

But then I read Lamentations 3:26. “It is good…” The people of Lamentations were not just stuck in their homes, they were in exile far from home. Yet they trusted that God would work something good in their time of suffering. They knew they need to repent from self and turn to Him.

“It is good to hope…” The Israelites were banking on a faithful God keeping His promises to return them to their land when they had no way of doing it on their own. I have faith in this current situation that God will act and our circumstances will change even if it appears to be hopeless.

“It is good to hope and wait quietly…” Not only is waiting good, but it says wait quietly. As a teacher, I know there are so many benefits in teaching children to wait quietly: better emotional resilience, better able to get along with others, more likely to say no to fleeting pleasures and hold out for lasting ones. Perhaps God wants these benefits for me, as well.

“… wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Our hope is not in a vaccine to save us, a government leader, a doctor, or even a six-foot distance. These things may stop one disease but they won’t solve all of life’s problems. We wait for the salvation, or rescue, of the Lord. He is the one we hope in. He will save.

Lord, as I wait for You to work, help me to wait quietly. Remind me that You are good and You will not forsake me. Help me to trust Your timing in all things. In Jesus name, Amen.