What does it mean to tarry?

Answer

To tarry is to intentionally wait for an expected event. Synonyms of tarry include wait, linger, and delay. The term is first mentioned in the KJV Bible in Genesis 19:2 when Lot invited two visitors to Sodom to “turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and you shall rise up early, and go on your ways.” To “tarry” at Lot’s house meant to spend the night there.

Tarrying may convey a more nuanced meaning in various contexts, and it can be either positive or negative, depending on the circumstances. To tarry implies a more lasting hesitation, as if a person were to camp in a spot for a while. If we are tarrying because the Lord or His servants instructed us to do so, then we are right to tarry. However, if we tarry as a way of procrastination and disobedience, tarrying can be sinful.

Throughout Scripture, we are instructed to “wait on the Lord” (Psalm 27:14;Psalm 37:34). This type of waiting entails not rushing ahead of God’s timing. When we are seeking wisdom and direction «If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. », (James 1:5), we are not to hastily send up a prayer before pursuing our own ideas. Instead, we are to entrust our path to the Lord «Commit thy way unto the LORD; Trust also in him; And he shall bring it to pass. », (Psalm 37:5), wait until a wise option is revealed, and then proceed confidently because we tarried before the Lord.

David “sat before the Lord”, tarrying in prayer after God established the Davidic Covenant with him «Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am

I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? », (2 Samuel 7:18). This was not an idle tarrying. David spent that time in focused prayer and thanksgiving.

Tarrying before the Lord involves quieting our hearts, praying about our concerns, meditating on His Word, and listening for His voice. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice . . . and they follow me” «My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: », (John 10:27, ESV). We learn to distinguish the voice of the Lord from other voices that echo in our minds by spending time in His presence. When we saturate our minds and spirits with God’s Word, worship, and earnest prayer, His voice is easily recognizable. Tarrying before the Lord implies a readiness to obey His command. We can think of tarrying as a runner at the starting line, alert and ready for the starting shot. The runner tarries behind the line but is eagerly waiting for permission to run. If he runs too soon, he is disqualified. So he tarries with expectancy.

We often have a problem with sinful tarrying when we delay after we’ve been given instruction. Some people who wanted to follow Jesus also wanted to tarry before going all in. Luke 9:57–62 records three instances when individuals said they wanted to follow Jesus, but they begged for some tarrying time. In other words, they wanted what Jesus offered, but their tarrying indicated a lack of commitment. Each wanted to postpone his obedience indefinitely until he decided he was ready. Jesus made no exceptions for any of them. His final answer was, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” «And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.», (Luke 9:62).

Version/Luke-9-62″>(Luke 9:62).

For our benefit, Jesus delays His return: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9-12).

It is risky to delay in obeying God. Jesus could return at any moment, and we will be caught in whatever situation He finds us «But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. », (2 Peter 3:10). There will be no excuses. No explanations. No second chances. He delays to give us time to obey Him, but He will not delay forever. Romans 13:11–14 says, “The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” There is no reason at all to delay in following those instructions.