I have waited for Thy salvation, O Lord.
—Genesis 49:18
It is not easy to say in what exact sense Jacob used these words in the midst of his prophecies in regard to the future of his sons. But, they certainly do indicate that his expectation was from God alone. It was God’s salvation he waited for, a salvation that God had promised and alone could work out. Jehovah, the everlasting God, would show them what His saving power does. The words point forward to that wonderful history of redemption that is not yet finished, and to the glorious future in eternity to which it is leading. They suggest to us how there is no salvation but God’s salvation, and how waiting on God for that is our true blessedness.
Let us think of ourselves and the glorious salvation God has worked out for us in Christ and is now going to perfect in us by His Spirit. Let us meditate until we realize that every participation of this great salvation, from moment to moment, must be the work of God Himself. God cannot part with His grace or goodness or strength as an external thing that He gives us. No, He can only give it, and we can only enjoy it, as He works it Himself directly and unceasingly. And, the only reason that He does not work it more effectually and continuously is that we do not let Him. We hinder Him either by our indifference or by our self-effort, so that He cannot do what He wants to do.
What He asks of us, in the way of surrender, obedience, desire, and trust, is all comprised in this one word: waiting on Him, waiting for His salvation. It combines the deep sense of our entire helplessness and our perfect confidence that our God will work all in His divine power.
Our heart is the scene of a divine operation more wonderful than creation. We can do as little toward the work as toward creating the world, except as God works in us to will and to do. God only asks us to yield, to wait upon Him, and He will do it all. Let us meditate and be still until we see how blessed it is that God alone do all. Our soul will sink down in deep humility to say, “I have waited for Thy salvation, O Lord.” And the deep, blessed background of all our praying, “Truly my soul waiteth upon God” (Psalm 62:1).