REFLECTION: Waiting Patiently – in Prayer

A Message from Micah 7:7…..

Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.  (Micah 7:7)

The prophet Micah is probably best known for his clear prediction which identifiesBethlehemas the place of the Messiah’s birth (Micah 5:2). His book also includes, near its close, the lovely statement about the sins of God’s people being cast into the depths of the sea. Much else contained in this little book in the Old Testament may be unfamiliar to us and may be difficult to comprehend. The above verse, however, is not beyond our understanding and gives us encouragement today.

Micah lived in a day very much like our own. According to this chapter righteous people were in short supply (v.2), corruption abounded (v.3), and it seemed nobody could be trusted (v.5). Family breakdown was commonplace, and you could not count on the loyalty of those who were closest to you (v.6). In circumstances like this, what can be done? Who can we trust when all seems hopeless?

 ONE SOLUTION

The answer given by Micah is both concise and compelling. In spite of such things – indeed, because of such things Micah would look to the Lord. When human help fails this is what we must do. We need to realize that the Lord will never fail us. We must look to Him in faith, day by day. Patience is needed too – and this is something Micah expresses in his next statement: “I will wait for the God of my salvation.” The One who has saved us is “the God of our salvation”. He is still “able to deliver” those who trust in Him – as Daniel’s three friends discovered (Dan.3:17). Our Saviour-God is coming again from heaven. Perhaps His coming is very near – but He is able to deliver us now from the trials and difficulties we encounter, if that is His will. Patiently we must wait for Him to work in our circumstances in His own time and way.

The believer’s greatest resource, however, is prayer. Micah knew the value of this too as, with confidence, he affirmed, “My God will hear me”. How good it is for us to know that our God hears the prayers of His children whenever they call upon Him. Like Micah, we may feel that we are living in a corrupt society. Political leaders scheme and seem determined to silence the voice of Biblical Christianity. Godly men and women seem few and far between and are greatly outnumbered. In such conditions we must look only to the Lord and be patient. Continue in prayer: divine intervention may be nearer than we think.