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NIV is used unless otherwise noted.



The Wait

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14


I absolutely abhor waiting...in line, at appointments, for answers. I just hate it. I’ve done some significant waiting in my life. My husband and I waited 17 years for our firstborn. I’ve spent months at the bedside of a beloved, waiting for God to take her to glory. And I’m still waiting on answers to long-time heart-cry prayers.

Scripture tells us to wait on the Lord (Psalm 27:14). It tells us to wait in hope, with expectation, in silence, and with patience. It tells us that waiting will strengthen us, renew us, fill us with courage.

So, what is the value of the wait? Why does God call me to wait on him (Psalm 27:14)? How can I redeem the wait?

Waiting is a time to rest. It is a break from the go go, do do, be be of my busy life. It is a time to breathe deeply and set my heart on the Lord. Often, it is time to evaluate the worthiness of my present activity.

In my life, God often uses the wait to show me my own self-centeredness. When I’m irritated because of a wait, I’m critical and prone to unbecoming words and actions. God holds up the mirror that reveals my ugliness.

Waiting in prayer often purifies my request, giving me insight into God’s plan and work and ways.

I yearn for the promises of this wait: They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).

Lord, would you redeem every moment of waiting for my good and for your glory? Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts (Isaiah 26:8).

Amen.

Jill Hardin

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