“WHAT WAIT I FOR?” (Pastor Tom Henry) ~ 2/18/25

“Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.” (Psalm 39:6,7)

David is recording his view of human life. These are solemn words and very difficult for the great majority of mankind to understand. It is nigh unto impossible to convince folks of the vanity of laying up treasure on earth, where they are subject to corruption and thievery (Matt. 6:19, 20). But David has been given keen spiritual insights by which he clearly sees the uncertainty of riches. He speaks with great certainty about the disquieted spirit of the multitudes who are walking in this vain show. He uses the word surely (or its equivalent verily) three times in this brief statement. Notice, “…verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity.” (Vs. 5b) He continues, “Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain.”

David here reminds us of his greater Son, the Son of David, Who often used such words of certainty when speaking of unassailable truths. “Verily, verily I say unto thee, ye must be born again.” He also sounds like his son, Solomon, who, concerning man’s pursuit of earthly riches, said, “Vanity, vanity, all is vanity.” Neither Solomon nor his father David made such statements out of a spirit of jealousy, since both men had attained enormous material wealth. Who better to affirm that those who trust in the Lord have true riches, and in Him is our hope. “And now Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in Thee.” The Apostle Peter wrote, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.”

David seems glad to turn his thoughts away from the “vain shew,” as it were, and turn his attention to his hope in the Lord. “And now Lord.” He has seen the vanity of this world and is ready to let it all go. As David speaks of his hope, clearly, he realizes that this world has nothing to hold him. His thoughts go to the future, and heaven. He consults with his God: “Every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain…” “And now Lord.” He knows that there is no vanity with Him, no deception, no delusion. He turns away from the mirage to that which is steadfast and sure. He turns his thoughts to the Rock of his salvation. Do you have a sure hope? May you come to make a firm decision, turn away from all that is uncertain, and say, “And now Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee!”

You can see at once that David feels that he is out of place, for he says, “What wait I for?” He says, “What wait I for?” He can see what the fools, whose hopes are vain, are waiting for. They are waiting to take their place in the show. They go out to take their place in the pageant; but I will not go there. I do not belong to any of these classes that make up the big show. I see men disquieted in vain, but I have learned to trust in Thee. I see men clutch the treasures they cannot keep, and I am not seeking that kind of thing. The sincere believer in this world is like a fish out of water, he is a man out of his native country, as a stranger in exile, and he says to God, “What wait I for?” This is a question that only God Himself can fully answer.

All believers should be able to identify with David, who saw the vanity of setting one’s heart on the things of this present world. Not that he despised this life, nor do we. In fact, believers have “the promise of the life that now is.” (I Tim. 4: 8) As joint heirs with Christ, “all things are yours.” (I Cor. 3:21) However, that which we wait for is beyond our ability to comprehend or even imagine. (I Cor. 2:9) Let us set our affection on things above, and not on things of the earth. The Lord is our portion now, and our future hope is in Him.