January 10, 2020 • Life for Leaders
I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
Psalm 40:1-2 (NIV)
Prayer:
Gracious God, the psalm writer waited patiently for you. In your time, you lifted him out of the pit and set his feet on a rock. You delivered him and filled him with praise.
I confess, Lord, that I find it hard to be patient, with others, with myself, and even with you. Sometimes you overwhelm me with your grace. Sometimes it seems as if you are asleep. I know you’re not, but that’s how it feels. In such times it’s hard for me to wait patiently. I can become anxious or agitated. I can feel angry with you for not doing what seems so obvious to me. Or I can even wonder if you’re there at all. Forgive me, Lord, for my lack of patience.
Teach me how to wait on you with patience. Teach me to trust you even when I don’t understand what you’re doing. Help me to know deep in my heart that you want the very best for me.
As I wait upon you and put my hope in you, please renew my strength. Help me to soar on wings like eagles. May I run and not be weary. May I walk and not be faint. Amen.
Ponder Throughout the Day
It can be hard to wait patiently on the Lord, but when we do, God draws us near to his heart. (Inspired by Psalm 40:1-2)
Explore more at The High Calling archive, hosted by the Theology of Work Project:
Waiting Patiently for God?
Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a Senior Strategist for Fuller’s Max De Pree Center for Leadership, where he focuses on the spiritual development and thriving of leaders. He is the principal writer of the daily devotional, Life for Leaders, and the founder of the De Pree Center’s Flourishing in the Third Third of Life Initiative. Previously, Mark was the Executive Director of the De Pree Center, the lead pastor of a church in Southern California, and the Senior Director of Laity Lodge in Texas. He has written eight books, dozens of articles, and over 2,500 devotions that help people discover the difference God makes in their daily life and leadership. With a Ph.D. in New Testament from Harvard, Mark teaches at Fuller Seminary, most recently in his D.Min. cohort on “Faith, Work, Economics, and Vocation.” Mark is married to Linda, a marriage and family counselor, spiritual director, and executive coach. Their two grown children are educators on the high school and college level.
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