In Psalm 40:1, it says: “I waited patiently for the LORD, and he inclined unto me; and he heard my cry. And he brought me up out of the pit of despair, out of the miry clay; he set my feet upon a rock, and made my steps straight.” Amen! How beautiful is the Lord. The question is: how are you currently living in relation to patience?
Are you one of those people who live desperate, anxious and worried about both the present and the future? This can lead you to live angry, stressed and full of anger.
Patience in our lives Psalms 40:1
The psalmist declares that he waited “patiently” for Jehovah. This implies:
- Confidence that God acts in His perfect timing
- Waiting is not passive, but active: a faith-filled expectation. The psalmist does not doubt that God will respond, even though that response may take time.
This aspect is key in our Christian life, since we do not always receive immediate answers to our prayers. However, trusting that God is in control gives us peace in the midst of uncertainty.
Let us remember that those of us who know the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ have a great blessing. According to Galatians 5:22-23, we find the fruits of the Holy Spirit, among them patience. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
You and I can serve the Lord with the various gifts of the Holy Spirit and be used in extraordinary things, such as miracles and deliverances. However, it is important to remember that there are also dangers.
As it says in Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Many will say, “Lord, in your name we prophesied, cast out demons, and did many miracles.” And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of iniquity.”
In the case of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, there is no law against them. This means that you will live a holy life, pleasing and serving the God of heaven. The psalmist comforts us by saying that he patiently waited for Jehovah and saw the blessing coming.
Let us take biblical examples of patience, such as that of King David. In 1 Samuel 24:4-7, David had the opportunity to harm Saul, but he chose to wait on God and not rise up against the Lord's anointed.
The answer to the clamor
The psalmist affirms that God “heard my cry”. This is a testimony of divine faithfulness. God not only hears, but He responds. Although the time and form of His response may not be as we expect, they always act according to His perfect will.
- He encourages us to pray with persistence and not to be discouraged when the answers seem to take time.
- This cry could represent anguish, desperation or need; in any circumstance, God is present to help us.
Patience is key to receiving the blessings God has for us. Remember that those who live in despair and worry do not experience the peace that comes from patience in God.
Practical applications in patience
- In trial, trust and hope in God.
Many times we face situations where it seems there is no way out, but this verse reminds us that God hears our cries and is working on our behalf, even if we don’t see it immediately. - Patience is a fruit of the Spirit
This verse challenges us to cultivate patience, not as resignation, but as an active trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. - Witness God's faithfulness
Like the psalmist, we must share how God has answered our prayers to build the faith of others and glorify His name.
In summary, Psalms 40:1 it invites us to live a life of faith and patience, knowing that God is faithful to hear us and answer our cries in His perfect timing. Let us reflect on how we are living and seek the fruits of the Spirit in our lives. Amen!
