Watching, Waiting, Writing

“And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that reads it.

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

“Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.”

The promise of God tarried, and the ungodly triumphed.

Here was the old problem of David in another form. “Wherefore look you upon them that deal treacherously?” (Habakkuk 1:13) is but a repetition of “I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” (Psalm 73:3.)

This same problem occurs to ourselves, and this text may help us.

Observe with understanding,—

I. THE SENSE IN WHICH THERE IS A DELAY IN THE PROMISE.

It is not every apparent delay which is real. Our time and God’s time are not measured upon the same dial.

1. Each promise will bide its due season for fulfillment: “For the vision is yet for an appointed time.”

2. Each promise in the end will prove true: “At the end it shall speak, and not lie.”

3. Each promise will repay our waiting: “Though it tarry, wait for it.”

4. Each promise will really be punctual to its hour: “It will surely come, it will not tarry.”

   • The word of the Lord is as true to the time as to the thing.
   • To him its time of ripening is short: only to us is it long.

II. THE ATTITUDE OF A BELIEVER WHILE THE PROMISE DELAYS.

We should watch for the appearing of the Lord in fulfillment of his promise, and should be prepared to receive reproof as well as blessing.

The prophet took up—

1. A determined and thoughtful attitude: “I will stand, and set me.”

2. An attentive attitude: “and will watch to see what he will say unto me.” He is engrossed in this one pursuit: he only desires to be taught of the Lord.

3. A patient attitude: “I will set me upon the tower.” It is as if he had been set as a sentinel, and would remain at his post.

4. A solitary position if need be. He speaks of himself alone.

5. A humble and submissive frame of mind: “what I shall answer when I am reproved.”

   • In all respects the man of God is ready for his Lord.
   • The delay is evidently a blessing to him.
   • The blessing will be the greater when it comes.

III. THE WORK OF THE LORD’S SERVANT WHILE THE PROMISE DELAYS.

1. By faith see the vision. Realize the fulfillment of the divine word in your own soul. “Watch to see what he will say.”

2. Declare it as certain: record it in black and white, as a fact not to be questioned. “Write the vision upon tables.”

3. Declare it plainly, so that the runner may read it.

4. Declare it practically, so that he who reads may run in consequence of it.

5. Declare it permanently. Write down the matter for a record to be referred to: engrave it on tablets for perpetuity.

   • Sham faith prudently declines to mention her expectations.
   • It is deemed presumptuous, fanatical, and imprudent to be positive that God will keep his promise; and still more to say so.
   • The real believer thinks not so, but acts with the Lord’s promises as he would deal with engagements made in business by honest men: he treats them as real, and would have others do the like.

IV. THE DIFFERENCE SEEN IN MEN WHEN THE DELAY OF THE PROMISE TESTS THEM.

1. The graceless man is too proud to wait on God as the Lord’s servant will do. “His soul is not upright in him.”

   • He is himself dishonest, and so suspects his God.
   • This prevents his finding comfort in the promise.

2. The just man believes the word of a holy God.

   • He waits serenely, in full assurance; and
   • He lives in the highest sense by his faith.
   • “My soul, wait you only upon God”: Psalm 62:5.
   • What can he do who has no faith in his Maker? Hebrews 11:6.

From Our Tablets

It was a custom among the Romans for the public affairs of every year to be committed to writing by the pontifex maximus, or high priest, and published on a table. They were thus exposed to public view, so that the people might have an opportunity of being acquainted with them. It was also usual to hang up laws approved and recorded on tables of brass in their market-places, and in their temples, that they might be seen and read. (Tacitus.) In like manner, the Jewish prophets used to write, and expose their prophecies publicly on tables, either in their own houses, or in the temple, that every one that passed by might go in and read them.—Burder.

And though it linger until the night, And round again until morn, My heart shall never mistrust your might, Nor count itself forlorn.

Do thus, O you of Israel’s seed.

You of the Spirit born indeed;

Wait for your God’s appearing!—Martin Luther.

Good old Spurstow says that “some of the promises are like the almond-tree—they blossom hastily in the very earliest spring; but,” says he, “there are others which resemble the mulberry-tree—they are very slow in putting forth their leaves.” Then what is a man to do, if he has a mulberry-tree promise, which is late in blossoming? Why, he is to wait until it does blossom; since it is not in his power to hasten it. If the vision tarry, exercise the precious grace called patience, and the appointed time shall surely bring you a rich reward.—C. H. S.

God’s promises are dated, but with a mysterious character; and, for want of skill in God’s chronology, we are prone to think God forgets us; when, indeed, we forget ourselves in being so bold as to set God a time of our own, and in being angry that he comes not just then to us.—Gurnall.

If we were more humble, we should be more patient. A beggar, who is worn with hunger, will wait at the rich man’s gate for many an hour with the hope of getting broken victuals; but my lord, who is in no need, will soon be gone if the door does not open to his knock. We have kept the Lord waiting long enough, and we need not wonder if he tries our faith and patience by apparent delays. In any case, let us settle this in our hearts, that he must and will fulfill his promises. Our text shows us a punctual God, a patient waiter, and a published confidence; but it finishes up with a proud unbeliever. Or, if you will, it is man uttering a brave resolve, and the Lord answering to his faith; reasons presented to patient faith, and rebukes to impatient pride.