Ephesians 2 - In reading this chapter today, I wished Jessica could realize the full meaning of these verses. She wants to be independent and reject the church, but she is struggling and miserable following her own path. If she were to become remade in His Image... imagine the joy and peace she could experience.
My reading in the Psalms today was to start at chapter 28, but as my eyes traveled the page to 28:1, this verse snagged their attention and begged for re-reading (yesterday’s chapter).
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14
This verse applies directly to our discussions at the Deaf Young Life leadership meeting, John Stumbo’s journey and blog and my own journey, especially this week.
Wait. This isn’t something most of us like to do. It seems like a waste of time - we want a plan of action and to get results. How we need to learn to wait! Not passively idle time to twiddle our thumbs, but an expectant wait.
The verse says to “be strong” in this wait. How do we gain strength? Physically, it comes from exercise, rest and proper nutrition. Spiritually and emotionally, we need the same. Study His Word. Meditate - on scripture, nature, world events,... Seek His wisdom and insights. Pray. Pray. Pray without ceasing; in your lying down and getting up and as we walk through our day. Rest. Be still. Silence yourself to hear His voice. Not at all easy, especially when we want action, but vital.
“Take heart.” A lovely English idiom meaning to be confident or courageous. Confident of what? Courageous, when I feel so dis-couraged? Of course, you know the answer. The only unshifting, Rock-Solid stronghold is Christ. I love the ASL sign for “confident.” (If you don’t know it, one online resource: American Sign Language Browser) It shows a grasping onto... holding on, as if to a rope or lifeline. Hold on to Him.
I’m not sure what the Psalmists meaning was, but as I read this verse this morning, I pictured that old Western icon of holding down the fort, knowing that calvary was coming soon. Whatever battles we face, however strong the Enemy seems to be, however weary or overwhelmed or alone we may feel, God is near. He will never abandon us. Our circumstances and fears may obscure the feeling of His presence, but He remains. At the right time, He will intervene, show us the next steps, provide the answers... Our job is to wait, in strength and confidence.
Jesus, waiting is hard sometimes. Often our waiting is for answers and direction, so we feel suspended in some kind of limbo. We want answers. We want action. But help us to be strong, to do our part to make ourselves strong and to receive strength from You, and to take heart, to hold on to Your promises and to the knowledge that you will be with us, guide us and protect us along the way. Lord, I confess that I am not always a good "waiter." I need frequent reminders to develop good waiting skills; to rest and wait for Your time and Your answers. Quiet my heart and soul and give me the strength to wait for You.
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