I am horrible at waiting and have been in every season of my life. The truth is that I often try to run away from waiting by escaping mentally somewhere else. This is sin because I am not trusting in the Lord's kind hand in my life and wanting to be else where then where He has placed me. Yet, the Lord calls His children to wait upon Him and that actually is part of His good for us to wait.
God is the only One worth waiting on because He alone holds all Power to bring about change. He is my Father and controls all things. If I know these truths, why do I have such difficulty waiting on the Lord? My mind is reminded with wonderful verses that tell the believer to wait on the Lord (Psalm 27:13-14, Isaiah 64:4). I know that it's for my good and I am always encouraged when I remember Lazarus story in John 11 in how Jesus waited an extra 2 days before He went to Lazarus because He loved them. Yet, I still question the Lord in unbelief and let's be honest, even despair when the Lord ask me to wait. I long to have this heart of this hymn writer below. This hymn always reminds me to be silent and still before the Lord. My Father knows all things and it's up to Him to order and provide all of His providence's in my life. I want to bless the Lord no matter my circumstances. I long to challenge my self or any others out there who are in the season of 'waiting' before the Lord. Don't waste this season in anger, self-pity (which is pride), despair or even trying to escape because all of that is sin and breaks our fellowship with the Lord.
Repent again of unbelief and Trust and Behold Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 3:18). Remember the Gospel of Christ! Jesus is my righteousness and paid for all my sin on the cross! Consider Jesus in Isaiah 53. He is the perfect example of humility and submission to the Father. And actually His perfect works count for me through faith! What grace! Oh how I need to remember this constantly!
It's comforting to know that even back in 1752, Katharena (the writer) was learning the lessons of waiting on the Lord. May the Lord grant grace upon grace to His children who are waiting in faith and grant true worshipful prayer to God through Christ our King in every season of waiting. This season is meant for my good. To make me more like Jesus (Romans 8:28). May we count it all joy when we meet various trials...knowing that it the testing of our faith that produces steadfastness in Christ, that we maybe perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4). All for the praise of His glorious name!
"Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.
Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.
Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, be leaving, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine."
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.
Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.
Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, be leaving, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine."
-Katharina Von Schlege
1752
