Slow Down!

February 3, 2026

Scripture

“Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices.”  Psalm 37:7

Slow Down!

David was writing the words of Psalm 37 when he was in the fourth quarter of his life and work.  There had been several unimaginable highs and some incredibly painful lows. 

As a military leader, he had led his troops to victories that others thought were impossible.  As a family man, he inflicted deep pain when he allowed his self-interests and sin to gain the upper hand.  As a friend, he was loyal and trustworthy and loving.  As a subject of King Saul, he did not always show respect for the leader of Israel. 

As a spiritual leader, he celebrated the greatness of the Lord God without holding back and tried to model his heart after the heart of the Lord God.  As a person who loved the Lord God, he wrote songs for worship, poetry that exalted the Lord, and prose that sometimes questioned whether the Lord hears our prayers.

There were many lessons that David learned through all the highs and lows of life.  But, one of the most important was a lesson he had learned as a young boy.  While David watched the family’s flock of sheep, he spent most of his days and nights alone with the sheep.  Because caring for sheep is not very demanding, David had a lot of time to be still, to practice patience, and to waiting on the Lord God for whatever was coming next.

When David became the King of Israel, being still, being patient, and waiting on the Lord God sometimes became less of a priority.  Like most of us, he allowed the responsibilities and expectations of his leadership role to take more and more of his time and energy.  There were too many ocassions when David did not practice these three spiritual disciplines.

David writes Psalm 37 to people who are younger than he is.  His hope is he can share with them some of the important lessons he learned in his life.  In Psalm 37:7 David writes; “Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices.”

If David had the chance, I wonder if he would have handled the responsibilities, expectations, and demands in his life in some different ways.  I wonder if David is telling us to slow down.

Like David, I am living in the last quarter of my life.  When I was younger my elders told me; “Life is short; slow down and enjoy it!”  Now, I find myself sharing the same advise with those who are younger than me.  I echo the words of David in Psalm 37; be still, be patient, and wait on the Lord!

There were times when I did not do well at being still and waiting.  I rushed and rushed as I hurried and hurried from one thing to the next.  During one of those seasons when I was failing more than I was succeeding at being still, being patient, and waiting on the Lord, the band Alabama came out with a song in 1992 titled, “I’m In A Hurry (And Don’t Know Why).  Read through the lyrics…slowly!   

I’m in a Hurry (And Don’t Know Why)

Chorus

I’m in a hurry to get things done
Oh, I rush and rush until life’s no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
But I’m in a hurry and don’t know why

Verse

Don’t know why I have to drive so fast
My car has nothing to prove
It’s not new
But it’ll do 0 to 60 in 5.2, oh

Chorus

Verse

Can’t be late, I leave in plenty of time
Shakin’ hands with the clock
I can’t stop
I’m on a roll and I’m ready to rock

Chorus

Verse

Oh, I hear a voice
It says I’m running behind
I better pick up my pace
It’s a race and there ain’t
No room for someone in second place

Chorus (Repeat Four Times)

Songwriter: Roger Murrah

“I’m in a Hurry (And Don’t Know Why)” lyrics © Bug Music, Reservoir 416, Murrah Music Corporation

The song could be the anthem of how most of us are choosing to live our lives in the 21^st century.  I know there was a long season in my life in which I was living just like that song. 

The words, “I am in a hurry and don’t know why” are haunting.  They speak to the spiritual dilemma in which many of us find ourselves.  On the one hand, we are seeking a deeper relationship with the Lord God (see Psalm 63:1).  On the other hand, we are living our day-to-day life in such a hurry we do not make time to be still, be patient, and wait on the Lord God for whom we are seeking.       

+Slow down and know the Lord is God.

+Slow down and wait on the Lord’s timing.

+Slow down and discover the Lord is with you right now.

+Slow down and learn the value of patience.

+Slow down and wait on the Lord’s provision.

+Slow down and listen for the Lord’s answer to your prayers.

+Slow down and discern the Spirit’s direction for your life.

+Slow down and encounter the love of Jesus for you.

+Slow down and determine God’s dream for your life.

+Slow down and know you are accepted by your Heavenly Father.

+Slow down and find God’s assurance you are forgiven.

+Slow down and walk humbly with the Lord.

When I was 15, I did not want to wait to get my driver’s license.  When I was 17, I did not want to wait to graduate from high school.  When I was 19, I did not want to wait to graduate from college.  When I was 22, I did not want to wait to graduate from graduate school.  When I was 25, I did not want to wait to complete two years of probationary service.  When I was 33, I did not want to wait for a big promotion.

My list could go on and on.  There were several times when my “need” to hurry and hurry and hurry kept me from being still, being patient, and waiting on the Lord.  David learned that when we live our lives always in a hurry we miss some of the greatest blessings of God, some of the deepest joys of faith in Jesus, and some of the greatest miracles the Lord wants to do in us and through us.

Sometimes it is hard to slow down.  David learned that challenging circumstances and difficult people and unanswered prayers make it difficult to wait.  We want resolution and reconciliation and restoration now and we want it on our terms. 

In Psalm 13:1-2 David writes; “How long, O Lord?  Will you forget me forever?  How long will you hide your face from me:  How long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all day long?  How long shall m enemy be exalted over me?”

Waiting is not passive resignation in which I choose to let things happen.  Instead, waiting is an active engagement in which I seek to align my desires with God’s will. 

Waiting for the Lord is expectantly trusting the Lord to do the right thing at the right time.  In other words, when I wait for the Lord I choose to surrender to the purposes, the plans, and the timeline of the Lord God.  I choose to trust in God’s provision, presence, protection, and power.

Like David, I encourage you to slow down; be still, be patient, and wait on the Lord God!  The good news is that waiting for the Lord intensifies our focus on and faith in the Lord God.  The good news is the Lord God makes promises for those who wait for Him.

First, while I wait on the Lord, He promises to give me strength and courage.  In Psalm 27:14 we hear; “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”

Second, while I wait on the Lord, He promises to pick me up and send me out.  In Isaiah 40:31 we hear; “…those 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.”

Third, while I wait on the Lord, He promises to give me the assurance of my salvation.  In Psalm 62:1 we hear; “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.”

Fourth, while I wait on the Lord, He promises to increase my reliance on Him.  When I choose to rely on God’s principles, promises, purposes, and power I gain hope. In Psalm 62:5 we hear; “For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.”  

Maybe it is time to slow down a bit so you can see the Lord God’s promises fulfilled in you.

Reflect

Write down why it is so difficult for you to slow down.  What is driving you more and more into a life of busyness?  What is preventing you from being still and knowing the Lord is God?  What is getting in the way of being patient while you wait for the Lord God to act?  Read I Peter 5:7, Matthew 11:28, and Psalm 55:22.  What is the Lord God saying to you through these verses?

Pray

Lord God, today I am feeling the heavy weight of all the responsibilities I have taken on.  Sometimes I struggle to find meaning in all the busyness.  I long for more peace and joy and love rather than all the expectations, all the responsibilities, and all the burdens I am carrying.  Today, I cast all of my cares on you.  Today, I lay my burdens down at your feet.  Give me relief and rest.  Take away the burdens that are squeezing the life out of me.  Give me a focus on the things of Your Kingdom.  I pray in the name of Jesus.  Amen.   

Act

Read Psalm 46:10.  If you have not already done so, memorize the verse.  Share the verse with a friend who struggles with being consumed by busyness.  Ask if the two of you can pray for one another about the distractions of your busyness.