Finding Confidence in God's Timing: A Lesson from Psalm 40

There are days when the weight of the world—or perhaps just the weight of our own expectations—feels heavy on our shoulders. We pray, we study, we prepare, and we pour our hearts out, yet sometimes the answer doesn't arrive when we feel it should. It can feel like we’re standing at the edge of a canyon, looking down, and waiting for the rescue rope to appear.

If you’ve ever felt that anxious ache—that feeling that God’s patience might be wearing thin, or that the timing for a crucial breakthrough is slipping away—I want to share a little nugget of truth I was pondering recently, drawn from a short thought on Psalm 40.

The scripture passage focuses on David’s cry: “Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me.”

When I first read this, I was struck by the two distinct parts of the plea. On one hand, David doesn't say, "Lord, *if* you have time, deliver me." He says, “Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me.” This is a profound shift in perspective. It’s not based on what *we* are doing, or how much we’ve earned through our efforts, but on the sheer, unmerited pleasure God takes in delivering us.

This is the heart of the Gospel, isn't it? Our confidence doesn't rest on our own spectacular efforts, but on the spectacular nature of the God who dwells in heaven. We come to Him because of Christ, who is ultimately and blessedly pleasing to Him.

But then, David doesn't just stop there. He follows that plea of trust with, “O Lord, make haste to help me.”

This is where I feel the Spirit nudge me today. It’s okay to be honest! It’s okay to feel the urgency. We are taught to trust God’s timing, and that is vital. But the Atonement of Jesus Christ gives us permission to *also* call out and say, "Hurry up, Lord, I need this now."

It’s a beautiful tension: deep, abiding trust combined with earnest, human urgency. We leave the *when* in His perfect hands, but we don't hesitate to ask for the *now*.

As we continue in our discipleship—whether we are in the MTC, in the field, or right here as internet missionaries—we will face these moments. We will be studying scriptures, preparing for missionary discussions, or perhaps wrestling with a difficult question in a Bible Study Group. In those moments, remember David’s pattern: Trust in His pleasure, and then, with all the earnestness of your heart, ask Him to hurry.

My challenge for you this week, as you continue your mission prep, is to notice where you are holding back your honest need out of fear of seeming impatient. Bring that honesty to the Lord. He is pleased to bless you, pleased to forgive you, and He is ready to hear your plea for haste.

If you want to wrestle with these concepts further, I highly recommend diving into the scriptures through LivingBook. Sometimes the best way to feel the Spirit is to study together; check out a Book Club or a dedicated Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces.

If you’re feeling stuck on how to answer a difficult question from an investigator, don't forget Davee. He's ready to walk you through the AI Investigator role, helping you craft answers rooted in the Spirit and sound doctrine.

Keep striving to be Christlike, friends. The Lord is pleased with you.

With love and anticipation for the work,

A Brother in the Covenant