Waiting in Faith: Trusting God's Timing and Justice
Summary
Waiting is one of the hardest things we face as human beings. Our culture is so averse to stillness and silence that we would often rather experience pain than wait patiently. This is not just a modern problem; it’s a human one. Psalm 62, written by David, gives us a window into what it looks like to wait well—not for circumstances to change, not for power or wealth to deliver us, but for God alone. David, battered and vulnerable, surrounded by enemies and false friends, chooses to wait in silence, confident that God is his rock, his salvation, and his fortress.
David’s confidence is not rooted in his own strength or in the hope that people or riches will save him. He recognizes that both the lowly and the powerful are, in the end, lighter than a breath compared to God. Wealth and power are tempting alternatives when we are desperate, but they cannot deliver us. True power belongs to God, and so does steadfast, covenant love. When these two—God’s power and love—come together, they guarantee justice. David trusts that God will set things right, not because of David’s own merit, but because of who God is.
This trust enables David to wait in silence, resisting the urge to “push the button”—to take matters into his own hands, to seek relief in ways that only bring more pain. We all have our own buttons: shortcuts, compromises, or distractions that promise to end our waiting but only hurt us and those around us. Yet, the call is to wait on the Lord, to trust in his timing, his justice, and his love.
Ultimately, the greatest demonstration of God’s power and love is found in Jesus Christ. In him, we see compassion for the broken and the power to heal, restore, and bring justice. We wait now for the day when Jesus will return, when all wrongs will be made right, and justice will roll down like waters. In the meantime, we remember and proclaim his death and resurrection, and we encourage one another to wait in hope, knowing that our salvation and our future rest in him alone.
Key Takeaways
- Waiting in Silence Is an Act of Faith
True waiting is not passive resignation or anxious impatience, but a quiet, confident trust in God. David models a posture of stillness that is rooted in the certainty of God’s character, not in the hope of immediate relief. This kind of waiting is possible only when we believe that God alone is our salvation and that he will fulfill his promises in his perfect timing. [24:51]
- The Temptation to “Push the Button” Reveals Our Idols
When faced with uncertainty or pain, we are often tempted to take matters into our own hands, seeking comfort or control through power, wealth, or self-effort. These “buttons” promise quick relief but only bring more pain and never shorten the waiting. The things we reach for in our impatience expose what we truly trust and value, challenging us to examine our hearts and return to God as our only refuge. [43:24]
- Human Power and Wealth Are Insignificant Before God
Both the lowly and the powerful, the poor and the rich, are described as lighter than a breath when weighed against God’s might. No amount of influence, money, or human effort can provide the security or deliverance that we seek. Trusting in these things is a delusion; only God’s power and steadfast love can sustain and save us. [30:31]
- God’s Power and Love Together Guarantee Justice
If God were only powerful, he might act without compassion; if only loving, he might lack the ability to help. But because God is both infinitely powerful and unfailingly loving, he will bring true justice—righting wrongs, restoring the broken, and vindicating the innocent. This assurance is the foundation for our hope and the reason we can wait in silence, knowing that justice will ultimately prevail. [35:48]
- Communion Reminds Us of What We Are Waiting For
In the Lord’s Supper, we remember and proclaim the death and resurrection of Jesus, anchoring our hope not in the things of this world but in the promise of his return. This meal is a call to examine ourselves, to turn from false hopes, and to renew our trust in Christ as the fulfillment of all God’s promises. As we wait, we do so together, encouraging one another to hold fast to the hope that is found in him alone. [51:12]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[20:39] - The Struggle of Waiting
[22:35] - Reading Psalm 62
[23:10] - David’s Quiet Confidence
[24:51] - Waiting in Silence, Not Anxiety
[26:07] - The Attacks Against David
[28:21] - Returning to Hope in God
[29:04] - From “Greatly Shaken” to “Not Shaken”
[30:31] - The Insignificance of Human Power
[31:40] - The Futility of Wealth
[32:50] - True Power and Steadfast Love
[35:48] - Power, Love, and Justice
[38:22] - Jesus: The Manifestation of God’s Power and Love
[43:24] - The Temptation to Push the Button
[45:31] - Waiting in Broken Relationships
[47:54] - Examining Our Hearts and Idols
[48:41] - The Hope of Christ’s Return
[51:12] - Communion: Remembering and Proclaiming
[55:26] - Prayer for Strength to Wait
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Waiting on God (Psalm 62)
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### Bible Reading
Psalm 62 (ESV)
> For God alone my soul waits in silence;
> from him comes my salvation.
> He alone is my rock and my salvation,
> my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.
> How long will all of you attack a man to batter him,
> like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
> They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.
> They take pleasure in falsehood.
> They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse.
> For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
> for my hope is from him.
> He only is my rock and my salvation,
> my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
> On God rests my salvation and my glory;
> my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
> Trust in him at all times, O people;
> pour out your heart before him;
> God is a refuge for us.
> Those of low estate are but a breath;
> those of high estate are a delusion;
> in the balances they go up;
> they are together lighter than a breath.
> Put no trust in extortion;
> set no vain hopes on robbery;
> if riches increase, set not your heart on them.
> Once God has spoken;
> twice have I heard this:
> that power belongs to God,
> and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
> For you will render to a man
> according to his work.
1 Corinthians 11:23-28 (ESV)
> For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 62, what does David say his soul is waiting for, and how does he describe his posture while waiting? ([22:35])
2. What are some of the specific threats or challenges David mentions he is facing in this psalm? ([26:07])
3. In verses 9-10, how does David compare the power and wealth of people to God? ([30:31])
4. In 1 Corinthians 11, what does Paul say is the purpose of taking the Lord’s Supper? ([52:16])
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does David emphasize waiting “in silence” for God, rather than waiting with anxiety or taking action himself? What does this reveal about his trust in God? ([24:51])
2. The sermon talks about the temptation to “push the button” when waiting is hard. What does this metaphor mean, and what does it reveal about human nature? ([43:24])
3. Why is it significant that David says both power and steadfast love belong to God? How does this combination give him confidence in God’s justice? ([35:48])
4. According to the sermon, how does the practice of communion help us remember what we are truly waiting for? ([51:12])
---
### Application Questions
1. Think about a time recently when you had to wait for something important. Did you find yourself wanting to “push the button” (take matters into your own hands, distract yourself, or compromise)? What was your “button,” and what did it reveal about what you trust? ([43:24])
2. David waited in silence, confident in God’s character. What would it look like for you to wait in silence and trust God in a current situation, instead of trying to fix it yourself? ([24:51])
3. The sermon says that both the lowly and the powerful are “lighter than a breath” compared to God. Are there people, positions, or resources you are tempted to trust in more than God? How can you shift your trust back to God this week? ([30:31])
4. When you are in pain or uncertainty, what are the “buttons” you are most tempted to push? (Examples: seeking comfort in money, relationships, control, or distractions.) How can you resist these and wait on God instead? ([47:54])
5. The sermon says that God’s power and love together guarantee justice. Is there an area in your life where you are struggling to believe that God will set things right? How can you remind yourself of God’s justice and love this week? ([35:48])
6. Communion is a time to remember and proclaim Jesus’ death and resurrection, and to examine ourselves. As you approach communion, what false hopes or “idols” do you need to turn from? How can you renew your trust in Christ as your only hope? ([52:16])
7. The sermon encourages us to help each other wait in hope. Who in your life needs encouragement to keep waiting on God? What is one way you can support or remind them this week? ([50:16])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God for the strength to wait on Him, to trust in His power and love, and to resist the urge to “push the button.” Pray for one another to be anchored in the hope of Christ’s return and to encourage each other as you wait.
Devotional
Day 1: Waiting in Silence for God Alone
To wait in silence for God is to trust Him above all else, resisting the urge to act out of anxiety or impatience. David, in Psalm 62, models a quiet, confident trust that is not shaken by circumstances or the attacks of others. He waits not for deliverance from his enemies, not for the restoration of his throne, but for God Himself. This kind of waiting is marked by stillness, not frantic activity or desperate attempts to control outcomes. It is a posture of surrender, acknowledging that only God can bring true salvation and security. In a world that urges us to push every button to escape discomfort, we are invited to wait in silence, confident that God is at work even when we cannot see it. [22:35]
Psalm 62:1-2 (ESV)
For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress;
I shall not be greatly shaken.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are tempted to act out of impatience or anxiety rather than waiting quietly for God? How can you practice waiting in silence today, trusting Him with that situation?
Day 2: True Security Is Found in God, Not in Power or Wealth
All the power and wealth of the world are fleeting and unreliable compared to the steadfastness of God. David reminds us that both those of low estate and high estate are lighter than a breath, and that riches, whether gained honestly or dishonestly, cannot provide lasting security. The temptation to trust in money, influence, or human approval is strong, especially when we feel vulnerable or threatened. Yet, these things cannot save us or deliver us from our deepest needs. Only God is our refuge, our mighty rock, and our salvation. When we are tempted to grasp for control through worldly means, we are called instead to set our hope on God alone, who holds all true power and steadfast love. [31:40]
Psalm 62:8-10 (ESV)
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.
Those of low estate are but a breath;
those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a breath.
Put no trust in extortion;
set no vain hopes on robbery;
if riches increase, set not your heart on them.
Reflection: In what ways are you tempted to seek security in money, status, or the approval of others? What would it look like for you to shift your trust to God as your only refuge today?
Day 3: The Power and Love of God Guarantee Justice
God alone possesses both the power to act and the steadfast love to care for His people, ensuring that justice will ultimately prevail. Unlike human power, which is often self-serving or limited, God's power is absolute and His love is unwavering. When these two attributes come together, they guarantee that wrongs will be made right and that the innocent will be restored. This assurance allows us to wait patiently, knowing that God sees every injustice and will act in His perfect timing. We do not need to take matters into our own hands or seek revenge, because the God who loves us is also the God who is able to bring about true justice. [35:48]
Psalm 62:11-12 (ESV)
Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
For you will render to a man
according to his work.
Reflection: Where do you long to see justice in your life or in the world? How does trusting in both God’s power and His steadfast love help you to wait for His justice rather than taking matters into your own hands?
Day 4: Resist the Temptation to “Push the Button”
When waiting becomes difficult, we are often tempted to take matters into our own hands, even if it leads to pain or regret. Like the participants in the study who preferred the pain of a shock to the discomfort of waiting, we may find ourselves reaching for quick fixes—whether it’s lashing out in anger, numbing our pain, or manipulating circumstances. These “buttons” promise relief but only bring more hurt, never actually solving the problem or shortening the wait. Instead, we are called to recognize these temptations for what they are—idols that distract us from trusting God—and to choose the harder path of waiting on the Lord, believing that He alone can bring the healing and resolution we seek. [47:54]
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
Reflection: What is the “button” you are most tempted to push when you feel anxious or impatient? What would it look like to resist that urge and instead wait on the Lord in faith today?
Day 5: Remember and Proclaim Christ as Our Hope
In our waiting, we are called to remember and proclaim that Jesus is our hope—He died, rose again, and will return to make all things new. Communion is given to us as a tangible reminder of this truth, helping us to fix our eyes on Christ rather than on the fleeting promises of this world. As we remember His sacrifice and anticipate His return, we are strengthened to wait with patience and hope, knowing that the fulfillment of all God’s promises is found in Him. This act of remembrance is not just for ourselves, but also a proclamation to the world that our salvation and our future are secure in Jesus alone. [52:16]
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (ESV)
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Reflection: As you remember Christ’s sacrifice and look forward to His return, how can you proclaim your hope in Jesus to someone else this week—through your words, actions, or attitude of patient trust?
Quotes
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