As I continue to study my way through the Psalms, this morning this verse really impacted me.  

“Wait for the Lord; 
Be strong and 
let your heart take courage.  
Yes, wait for the Lord.” 
(Psalm 27:14)

WAIT.  That’s not an easy thing for us.  Living in such an “instant” culture, we have been conditioned to not have to wait on much anymore.  We have “fast food”, “instant” potatoes, and microwaves that cook our food “in a hurry”.  We have frozen entrees that eliminate the prep time for our meals.  We can order groceries and even pay a few dollars more for faster delivery.  

The Hebrew word for wait in this verse is an imperative (a command, not a suggestion), and it means to look eagerly for, to linger for.  Think about that.  If I’m waiting for something, that indicates that I trust it is going to show up.  David’s “command” to himself in this verse shows his trust in his Lord.  He began this Psalm by declaring, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the defense of my life” (verse 1).  He knows and trusts his Lord, but his circumstances (adversaries, enemies, evildoers, war, trouble) are not good at all.  He had to have been struggling emotionally during this season or he wouldn’t have given himself a “pep-talk”.  

FOR.  There is much to be gleaned from the little word “for” (‘el).  In the Hebrew language that little word denotes “motion towards” (and not necessarily a physical motion).  As I wait “for”, through a rough season of life, what is my heart turned towards?  Are my thoughts turned to how quickly I can get to the end of this season?  Or perhaps I’m focused on what will lessen the discomfort of my trial?  Is my “motion towards” myself? (Can you say ouch?!)

THE LORD.  What I am to be waiting “for” is the Lord.  Yehovah.  The Self-existent and Eternal One.  The One who is Sovereign over all things, both my good times and my not so good times.  The One with whom I have trusted my eternity.  

I have often heard that God doesn’t waste pain; and as I read the next phrase, something hit me.  Perhaps God uses the waiting times in our lives to allow our inner being to grow stronger in the “trust” department.  

LET.  The phrase “let your heart take courage” impacted me.  The word “let” is in the imperfect tense, (on-going, not finished).  The Hebrew word (‘ames) used here means to be alert, to be steadfast MINDED, and to exhibit strength.  Think through that definition.  “To be steadfast minded” is INTERNAL, and to “exhibit strength” is EXTERNAL.  We have to deal with the internal feelings before we can act outwardly.  

HEART.  To be steadfast minded ties perfectly into the Hebrew definition of “heart” (leb).  It describes your inner man – your mind (what you think), your will (what you purpose), your heart (what you love). 

Take a moment and look inwardly.  When faced with a rough season or a trial, what are your thoughts focused on?  On how your circumstances make you feel?  Or perhaps what you can do to get through this hard time faster?  Or are your thoughts focused on what God is doing in and through you during your trial?

Let’s be honest here.  Waiting for the Lord is not for sissies.  It’s hard!  I think that’s why, in David’s “pep-talk” to himself, he repeated that phrase twice in one verse.   

Things in this world are so topsy-turvy.  They are ever-changing.  So let’s give ourselves a pep-talk like David gave himself.  Wait for THE LORD.  HE is our peace, even in the midst of our messy life.  

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”, John 14:27.  MY peace I give you.  It is not as the world gives – dependent on outward circumstances.  Jesus’ peace is from the inside out.  Choose to linger in His presence.  Choose to allow God to use the waiting to make your mind more steadfastly focused on HIM.