The Urgency of Grace

Psalm 40:13 (NIV)
“Be pleased to save us, LORD; come quickly, LORD, to help us.”

We are often taught that good Christians must be unfailingly patient. And it's true that earlier in this exact same Psalm, David says, "I waited patiently for the Lord" (v.1). But by the time we reach verse 13, the polite patience has vanished. David is desperate.

"Come quickly, Lord." The Hebrew word is chuwsh, which means to make haste, to hurry, to dart forward like a striking snake. David is telling God to hurry up.

Permission to be Impatient

Is it arrogant to tell the Creator of the Universe to hurry? Religion says yes; relationship says no.

Religion requires us to use polished, formal words, pretending we are fine while we bleed out in the pew. A true relationship with God allows for raw, unfiltered honesty. God is not offended by your urgency. He is not threatened by your desperation. He knows that when you say, "Come quickly," it is the ultimate expression of your dependence on Him. You aren't trusting anyone else to save you.

"Be Pleased to Save Us"

The phrase "be pleased" (from the Hebrew ratsah) means to take delight or pleasure in something. David isn't just asking for a begrudging rescue. He is appealing to God's desire. He is saying, "Lord, let it be your delight to step into this mess right now."

If you are in a season where you cannot wait another day, drop the religious formality. You have biblical permission to cry out, "Hurry up, God!" Your desperate urgency is the language of radical faith. He delights in being your immediate rescue.