Nehemiah: God's Invitation to RebuildSample

Waiting on the Lord

You feel it as you're stuck in traffic—when the light turns from red to green and your mind screams, "GO!"

Maybe you're not an aggressive driver, but how ‘bout when you're scouting out the cashier lines at the grocery store trying to pick the quickest transaction?

We're bred for efficiency; it's our culture's DNA. We rarely hear praise for stopping and slowing. This makes Psalm 62:1-2 quite the controversy: "For God alone, my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken."

In chapter 2, before verses 7 and 8, we observe how Nehemiah waited and sought the Lord before acting on his plan to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem. Once he was finally given the green light from God, Nehemiah surveyed the land and gained the king's favor. If he had rushed into it, the king could have seen the rebuild as something thrown together and messy. The significance of the Lord's timing was displayed clearly through Nehemiah as he saw the value in seeking God before he rushed into action.

1. Do you find it difficult to wait upon the Lord? Why do you think this is?

2. How can we tangibly seek the Lord in seasons of waiting?

Prayer: God, your timing is sovereign. Allow me the opportunity to be able to trust you in the seasons of waiting.

Bonus Reading: Psalm 62:1-2