The accusation was ridiculous. It did not even remotely tie into my character. (I do a lot of things wrong, but this particular lie was not one of my many sin issues.) The lie tied into cruel behavior unleashed against me. My heart was shattered into seemingly a billion unrepairable pieces. The devastation crushed my soul causing physical issues as well. I thought I could do nothing. But it was in the nothing that answers were found.
Psalm 37:7
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
What has come against you? Accusation, gossip, lies, demotion, brokenness…the list could go on. Where have others, inspired by the enemy, seem to have won against you? Think of that situation. How do you want to respond? Vindication, justification control, planning, yelling, revenge…the list could go on. Yet, God gives us the response: be still and wait patiently.
It looks like the enemy won. Be still and wait patiently. It looks like others, even our friends, have taken their side. Be still and wait patiently. It looks like we will never recover from all this. Be still and wait patiently. It looks like prayers will never be answered. Be still and wait patiently. It looks like it is becoming worse. Be still and wait patiently.
Being still and waiting patiently seem to be the opposite of appropriate responses. However, the Lord calls us to this because we are waiting on Him. We are not waiting aimlessly but waiting on the only intervention that will make an impact. God alone knows how to respond in a way that supersedes the situation. God alone knows all the underlying pieces and motivations behind what is going on. God alone knows the demonic playbook and how to turn what seemingly seems like an assured enemy victory into a crushing defeat. God alone knows how to use what the enemy used for evil to make it good not only for you but for others as well.
Be still and wait patiently. How do you know if you are following this command?
Psalm 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.
The absence of anger, wrath, and worry prove a heart that is still before God and waiting on Him. If any of these are in the heart, ask forgiveness and repent. We do not want the enemy who is working evil against us to entice us to our own evil choices. Instead, we must settle the war within and choose the way of God: Be still and wait patiently. Eventually, we will see the Lord’s intervention.
Psalm 37:9
For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
Answers will come, situations will turn, what was lost will be restored. Until then, be still and wait patiently on the Lord.