Solace in Solitude
Sometimes, you have one of those days. You had a stressful day at work, or you received some bad news. You have a lot on your mind. Where do you turn?
"The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,
To the person who seeks Him.
It is good that he waits silently
For the salvation of the LORD.
It is good for a man that he should bear
The yoke in his youth.
Let him sit alone and be silent
Since He has laid it on him"
(Lamentations 3:25-28).
Do you notice how many times the prophet reemphasizes that we should wait? And this waiting is not an idle slouching; this is waiting done with three particular purposes.
The Lord is good to those who wait and seek His will. God operates in His own time. Don't rush. He is good. You can seek Him out. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7). Pray to God for peace. Let Him know your concerns. He will take care of you.
"It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of the LORD."
God provides salvation to those who seek Him. He does so on His own time. Don't rush. Wait, silently. Salvation is God's business. You do not set the terms. If you wait silently for Him, He will provide forgiveness and redemption.
"Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD. Lord, hear my voice!
Let Your ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications.
If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared.
I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope.
My soul waits for the Lord More than the watchmen for the morning;
Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the LORD; For with the LORD there is lovingkindness,
And with Him is abundant redemption.
And He will redeem Israel From all his iniquities"
(Psalms 130:1-8)
"It is good for a man that he should bear the yoke in his youth."
You are under many restrictions. This is good for you. The yoke is there to guide you; don't throw it aside.
"Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things. So, remove grief and anger from your heart and put away pain from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting. Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no delight in them""
(Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:1).
"Let him sit alone and be silent since He has laid it on him."
Sit alone and consider the value of what this yoke provides for you. Be silent. God gave you this burden. No complaints. The yoke is for your good.
"Trust in the LORD and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the LORD;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light
And your judgment as the noonday.
Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.
Cease from anger and forsake wrath;
Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.
For evildoers will be cut off,
But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.
Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more;
And you will look carefully for his place and he will not be there.
But the humble will inherit the land
And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity"
(Psalms 37:3-11).
When life is not going your way, when trials seek to overwhelm you, remember to look to God. Wait for Him, in silence.
Do not fret.
He is good.
Just wait. You'll see.
