The LORD is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident . . . For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. Hear my voice when I call O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me . . . I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalm 27: 1-3, 5-7, 13, 14, NIV.
“Blessed LORD, how much [we] need [You], weak and sinful poor and blind; take [our] trembling hands and lead [us], strength and sight in [You we] find.” In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” There are so many spiritual, and physical, benefits to be derived from our learning to trust God’s timing, that I am convinced that the LORD has something significant to say to us through this portion of the Scripture. I believe that patience is one of the hardest virtues to develop! The patience it takes to wait until we see what the LORD is doing is not something we come by readily. I am talking about sister Duncan’s experience. Maybe for some of you, it is not that hard. Nevertheless, the beauty in developing patience is that patience is not developed in isolation! There are other virtues that are developed while our patience reaches maturity. I believe that the following Scripture explains it nicely: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 1: 1-5). Emphasis provided.
The experience and the hope and the love that are developed as our patience is coming into being is priceless! Notice that the Holy Ghost who “is given unto us” is the One who sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts. Notice also, that patience, hope, and love, are all part of the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5; 22, 23)! Isn’t it encouraging to know, that as we are willing to patiently “wait on the LORD,” the process of waiting can be a means in the hand of the Holy Spirit to make us more like Him? But there is another side to that story – “tribulations” could also be a part of the process! We are on enemy territory, and the enemy is not going to leave us alone. We will we buffeted and battered, but thank God, never defeated! Praise God! If we can be aware of the fact that no matter what befalls us, God can use it for our good, and His glory, by God’s grace, we can “wait on the LORD,” and allow patience to do its redemptive work in our lives!
One of the most effective ways of waiting on the LORD, is to wait in hope!In other words, do not despair. Do not double-guess the LORD. If He makes a promise in His Word, hold Him to His promise, and then leave it to Him to work it out, in His way, and in His time. Remember that time is under God’s control, not vice versa. He made time, and He rules over it. In the “fullness of time,” “when the time is right,” He will do what needs to be done. It takes strength of character and spiritual strength to wait on the LORD. As human beings we want to see the “whole picture.” But sometimes, the whole picture may overwhelm us. So God shows us “just enough” to keep us going. Can you imagine if He had shown Joseph all that he would have to suffer before becoming the second in command in Egypt? Can you imagine how devastated he might have become if he knew it would be thirteen years before his “dream” would come true? He did not know. But God did, and God kept him from falling, in order to see his dream come true!
He will do the same for you and me. After all, He is God!
NOTE: My regrets for the late publication that we have been experiencing from time to time. We are trying to make modifications and implement new features that will eliminate this problem. Please keep our website in your prayers. The devotional for July 4, has been edited.