Waiting is one of the most challenging aspects of faith. In a world that thrives on instant gratification, the idea of waiting—especially on something as intangible as God’s timing—can feel countercultural, even frustrating. Yet Psalm 33:20 gently calls us to embrace this sacred act of waiting: “We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.”
Psalm 33:20 King James Version
Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield.
This verse is more than just an encouragement; it’s an invitation to shift the posture of our hearts. Waiting on God isn’t about passivity or resignation. It’s about leaning into His presence with expectancy, trusting that He is actively working behind the scenes even when we can’t see it. It’s about laying down our timelines and surrendering to His perfect will.
But let’s be honest—waiting isn’t easy. It can feel like walking through a fog, unsure of what lies ahead. Perhaps you’ve been praying for healing, clarity, or a breakthrough, and the silence feels deafening. In those moments, it’s tempting to take matters into your own hands or to grow weary in faith. Yet Psalm 33:20 reminds us that waiting on God is never wasted time. It’s in the waiting that He refines us, teaches us dependence, and deepens our trust in His character.
God as Our Help and Shield: A Dual Promise
The imagery in this verse is profound: God is both our help and our shield. These two roles reveal different facets of His care for us.
- Help: When life feels overwhelming, God steps in as our helper. He strengthens us when we are weak, provides wisdom when we are confused, and comforts us when we are brokenhearted. His help may not always come in the way we expect—sometimes it’s a quiet assurance rather than a dramatic intervention—but it always meets us exactly where we are. Think of Peter walking on water (Matthew 14:29-31). When Peter began to sink, Jesus immediately reached out His hand to help him. That same hand is extended to you today.
- Shield: A shield doesn’t prevent every attack; instead, it absorbs the blows so that we are not destroyed. God’s shielding presence doesn’t mean life will be free from challenges, but it does mean that He protects us from ultimate harm. Even when trials come, He promises to guard our hearts and minds with His peace (Philippians 4:7). Imagine standing in a storm with a shield over your head—it doesn’t stop the rain from falling, but it keeps you safe from being overwhelmed.
This dual promise—help in times of need and protection from harm—shows us that God’s care is both active and enduring. He doesn’t just watch from afar; He steps into our circumstances as both rescuer and defender.
Releasing Our Expectations to Him
One of the greatest struggles in life is managing unmet expectations. We all have dreams, plans, and desires that we hope will come to fruition. But what happens when things don’t go as planned? When does the promotion fall through? When does the relationship end? When the healing doesn’t come?
Psalm 33:20 invites us to place our expectations not in people, circumstances, or even ourselves—but in God alone. This doesn’t mean we stop dreaming or hoping; rather, it means we entrust those dreams to the One who knows what’s best for us.
When we place our expectations in God:
- We release the pressure to control outcomes.
- We find peace in knowing that His plans are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).
- We open ourselves up to blessings that far exceed what we could have imagined.
It’s important to remember that placing your expectations in God doesn’t mean you won’t face disappointment or delays. But it does mean that even in those moments, you can trust that He is working all things together for good (Romans 8:28). Your waiting is not pointless; it has a purpose.
Rejoicing While We Wait
The psalmist continues in verse 21: “In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.” This verse reveals a powerful truth—waiting on God doesn’t have to be marked by frustration or despair. Instead, it can be a time of rejoicing.
Rejoicing while waiting may seem counterintuitive, especially if you’re facing hardship. But joy isn’t dependent on circumstances; it’s rooted in who God is. When you trust in His holy name—His unchanging character—you can find joy even amid uncertainty.
Think about Paul and Silas singing hymns while imprisoned (Acts 16:25). Their circumstances were bleak, yet their hearts were full of praise because they trusted in God’s sovereignty. In the same way, your praise during seasons of waiting becomes a powerful declaration of faith—a reminder to yourself and others that God is faithful.
Practical Ways to Trust Him More Deeply
If you’re struggling to wait on God or feeling weighed down by unmet expectations, here are some practical steps to help you place your hope fully in Him:
- Spend Time with Him Daily
Carve out intentional time each day for prayer and reading Scripture. Let His Word remind you of His promises and faithfulness. - Surrender Control
Write down your fears or unmet expectations and physically place them before God in prayer. Release them into His hands. - Celebrate Small Victories
Look for evidence of God’s faithfulness—even in small ways—and give thanks for them. Gratitude shifts your focus from what you lack to what you have. - Lean on Community
Surround yourself with people who encourage you spiritually. Their prayers and support can strengthen your faith during difficult seasons. - Meditate on Promises
Memorize verses like Psalm 33:20-22 or Isaiah 40:31 to anchor your heart when doubts creep in. - Choose Joy Daily
Joy isn’t always a feeling—it’s a choice rooted in trusting God’s goodness. Start each day by declaring His faithfulness over your life.
Read More About This Devotional
Quote of the Day: “The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith”
A Closing Prayer
Lord,
Thank You for being my help and my shield. Teach me how to wait on You with patience and trust, even when life feels uncertain or overwhelming. Help me release my expectations into Your hands and find joy in Your presence while I wait for Your perfect timing. Strengthen my faith so that I may rest securely in Your promises and rejoice in Your unfailing love every day. Amen.
Scripture Reading for the Day
Psalms 9 King James Version
1 I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
3 When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.
4 For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.
5 Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.
6 O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.
7 But the Lord shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.
8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
9 The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
11 Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.
13 Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:
14 That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.
15 The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.
16 The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.
17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.
19 Arise, O Lord; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.
20 Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.
