Wait on God and His Mercy

It is so hard to wait, yet it seems as thought that is all we do in this world. Wait on the bathroom, wait on traffic, wait for the bus, wait on reporting, wait on just about everything. Even with all the waiting in this world, waiting on God is still in the picture. Waiting on His provisions. Waiting on His blessings. And, waiting on His deliverance and mercy.

“¹⁶I hear, and my body trembles;

my lips quiver at the sound;

rottenness enters into my bones;

my legs tremble beneath me.

Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble

to come upon people who invade us.”

— Habakkuk 3:16 (ESV)

Here I see that regardless of the fear and anxiety that enters my thoughts, and body, I still wait on the LORD to do what He does, provide, bless, deliver and provide mercy. Habakkuk is in the midst of prayer to God to say it out loud that he will wait on the Him to do what He does as relates to His people.

I believe that it is a key point that Habakkuk is praying/speaking with God as relates to what is desired. I see that he is not shy when it comes to saying it. He says it out loud for the LORD to hear, even though we know that God knows even what is in our hearts and minds without our saying it. Habakkuk is obedient in that he follows the instruction of the LORD even before the instructions are given.

“²⁴Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” — Mark 11:24 (ESV)

Habakkuk’s prayer to the LORD opens with his exclaiming what is already known from the LORD and his asking up front and then declaring in verse 16 that even in asking, waiting on the LORD, regardless of how long is the right approach. Yet, the asking is where it all begins.

“²O LORD, I have heard the report of you,

and your work, O LORD, do I fear.

In the midst of the years revive it;

in the midst of the years make it known;

in wrath remember mercy.”

— Habakkuk 3:2 (ESV)

Notice how it is that Habakkuk is asking from the LORD. He is specific, in his request, “remember mercy”, yet he is not demanding the how and specifics from the LORD. Habakkuk simply asks for the LORD to do that which he knows He will do. He does not ask for the LORD to do things this way or that, he asks for Him to do what He does and remember His mercy in the process. And then, he lets the LORD know that regardless of what or when, he will still wait on the LORD.

I have to remember the same in my approach to the LORD and all that I seek from Him. I have to begin by asking (out loud) to let the LORD know my request. I have to request the LORD to do that which He will do in the timing He will do it. And I have to wait on the work of the LORD to be completed and know that His work will result in mercy.

What are you asking for from the LORD? Are you seeking deliverance and telling God how to get it done? What if you were to ask out loud for the LORD to do His work however He will do it and only remember mercy and then wait on the LORD for as long as it takes?