This refers to waiting patiently for God to come to us in mercy. In
Which of us can truly say this? Who among us lives this life of communion with God, which is so much our purpose and our blessedness? How far short we fall of the spirit of holy David, even though we have much greater resources for growing in our relationship with God than the saints of old, thanks to the clearer revelations of Christ's mediation. Yet, let weak but sincere Christians take heart and not despair. Remember, even David himself was not always in a spiritual frame of mind to say such things. He had his weaknesses and failings, and yet he was called a man after God's own heart. We too have our infirmities, but if they are sincerely lamented, earnestly striven against, and if the habitual inclination of our souls is towards God and heaven, we shall be accepted through Christ—for we are not under the law, but under grace.
Nevertheless, David's declaration in the text shows us what our practice should be: we must wait on God all the day. This phrase conveys two key ideas: patient expectation and constant attentiveness.
1. Patient Expectation
This refers to waiting patiently for God to come to us in mercy. In this sense, all the day should be understood figuratively, meaning the entire time that the desired mercy is delayed. In the earlier part of the verse, David prays for God's guidance and instruction: Lead me in thy truth, and teach me. He was uncertain and deeply eager to know God's will and ready to follow it. Yet God kept him waiting— David did not yet have clarity about God's direction or what steps he should take. Did David, in his uncertainty, move ahead without God's guidance? No. Instead, he resolved: On thee do I wait all the day.
This is reminiscent of Abraham, who attended to his sacrifice from morning until the sun went down, waiting for God to answer his inquiry about his descendants (Genesis 15:5, 12). Similarly, the prophet Habakkuk stood on his watchtower to wait for God's reply, trusting that, even if it was delayed, at the end it shall speak, and not lie.
In the verses immediately preceding the text, David refers to God as the God of his salvation—the One upon whom he relied for both temporal and eternal salvation. David hoped for deliverance from his present distresses: his troubles of heart, which were greatly increased (Psalm 25:17), and from his enemies, who hated him with cruel hatred and sought to triumph over him (Psalm 25:2, 19). Trusting that God would indeed be his Saviour, David resolved to wait on Him all the day, emulating Jacob, whose dying words were: I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord (Genesis 49:18).
At times, God preempts His people with blessings, answering their prayers before they even call upon Him. He is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early (Psalm 46:5). Yet, at other times, He seems distant, delaying deliverance and keeping His people in a prolonged state of expectation and even uncertainty. The light of comfort may be dim—it is day, but only just. It may be a cloudy and dark day, and the awaited relief does not come until the evening or even far into the night. Sometimes, it is at midnight that the cry comes: Behold, the bridegroom cometh (Matthew 25:6).
The church's deliverance from her troubles, her triumph in her struggles, and her ultimate rest from oppression—all of this is what we must humbly and patiently wait upon God for. We must wait all the day, without distrust or impatience.
a. Though it may be a long day.
Though we may be kept waiting for a long time, far beyond our own expectations. Though, after waiting for what feels like an age, we are told to wait even longer—like the prophet's servant, who was instructed to go yet seven times before perceiving the slightest sign of mercy coming (Go again seven times - 1 Kings 18:43). We may have hoped that this person or that situation would bring deliverance, only to face disappointment. The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved (Jeremiah 8:20). Time drags on, and the opportunities seem to have slipped away—those moments of summer and harvest, when we thought we would reap the fruits of our prayers, efforts, and patience, are gone. The waiting feels endless, and we seem no closer to salvation.
The time that the ark of the covenant stayed in Kirjath-jearim was much longer than anyone had anticipated when it was first lodged there. It stayed for twenty years—so long that all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord and began to fear it might remain there forever (1 Samuel 7:2).
But though it may seem like a long day, it is still only a day—just one day, and it is known to the Lord: It shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord (Zechariah 14:7). While we are kept waiting, the time seems interminable, but the joyful outcome will make it feel brief, even momentary. The waiting is no longer than what God has appointed, and we can trust that His timing is the best timing. His blessings are always worth the wait. Though the time may seem long, it is nothing compared to the days of eternity, when those who patiently endured will be rewarded with everlasting salvation.
b. Though it may be a dark day, we must
still wait upon God all the day.
Even if, while we wait for what God will do, we are kept in the dark about what He is doing—or what we should do—we must remain content to wait in the darkness. Even if we see not our signs and there is no one to tell us how long, let us resolve to wait, no matter how long it takes. For while we do not understand now what God is doing, we shall know hereafter when the mystery of God shall be finished.
No one ever experienced greater bewilderment over God's dealings than Job, who said: I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him; on the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him; he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him (Job 23:8–9). Yet Job ultimately found peace in resolving to wait on God, saying: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold (Job 23:10). Though Job could not trace God's steps, he trusted God's purpose— that He would act as a refiner, ensuring the gold remained in the furnace no longer than necessary to purify it.
When God's way is in the sea—so untraceable that it cannot be followed—we can trust that His way is in the sanctuary, where He reveals Himself and His will to be trusted (Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary - Psalm 77:13). Even when clouds and darkness are round about him, we know that justice and judgment are the habitation of his throne (Psalm 77:19; Psalm 97:2). We can trust in the goodness and righteousness of His plans, even when they remain hidden from our view.
c. Though it may be a stormy day, we
must still wait upon God all the day.
Even if we are not merely becalmed, unable to move forward, but the wind is contrary and drives us backward—nay, even if the wind is boisterous, the church is tossed with tempests, and seems ready to sink—we must still hope for the best. We must endure and weather the storm with patience.
It is a comfort to know that Christ is in the ship. The church's cause is Christ's own cause; He has taken it upon Himself and will not abandon it. He is in the same vessel as His people, so why should we fear? Why are ye fearful? Do not doubt that the ship will safely reach its destination. Even if Christ seems to be asleep for now, the prayers of His disciples will awaken Him, and He will rebuke the winds and the waves. Though the bush burns, if God is in it, it will not be consumed.
But this is not all—Christ is not only in the ship; He is at the helm. Whatever threatens the church is under the control of the Lord Jesus, and He will ensure that it ultimately works for its good. As Mr. George Herbert has so beautifully expressed:
Away despair, my gracious God doth hear, When winds and waves assault my keel, He doth preserve it, he doth steer, Even when the boat seems most to reel. Storms are the triumph of his art, Well may he close his eyes, but not his heart.
This is a timely reminder for today. What God will do with us, we cannot yet tell. But we can be certain of this: He is a God of