“Wait for and confidently expect the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the LORD.” Psalms 27:14 AMP

Waiting, trusting, and hoping are like the links of a chain forged together providing strength and stability to a ships anchor. Our verse today starts with one of the most difficult words in the Scripture…waiting! Because we are corporal beings, we are constantly aware of the temporal constraints on our physical life. While waiting suggests doing nothing but actually it is an active process. We do not simply sit with our hands folded and do nothing!  The Scripture reminds us that,

“But those who wait for the LORD [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] Will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired.” Isa 41:31 AMP

During times of waiting, we are called to strengthen ourselves in the Lord. Many times, discouragement and unbelief try to rob us of the joy of the Lord. Waiting is not an easy process, yet it is required for growth and the development of trust! Notice that our verse tells us to “confidently expect” the Lord to fulfill His promise. That is trust! The word trust is defined as the ability to believe in the reliability, truth, or the ability of someone or something! Each time we “wait upon the Lord” our trust and reliance is being built up! 

There are many ways in which God builds trust in our lives. It could mean spending time in prayer. Pray is one of the most underutilized tools in the Christian’s work belt! Remember the words of the Apostle James?

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) is able to accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].” James 5:16 AMP

Times of prayer can be a chance for introspection and cleansing. This verse clearly tells us that our prayers can “accomplish much when put into action and made effective by God!” God is the source of the power, yet He has chosen us as the instrument of initiation! Times of intense prayer bring us to points of surrender in our lives so that we can release our desires and allow God to move according to His plan. The challenge of we have as believers is that the power of prayer moves in the “unseen” world in which we do not yet live! The Scripture tells us that,

“For though we walk in the flesh [as mortal men], we are not carrying on our [spiritual] warfare according to the flesh and using the weapons of man. 4The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.”

2 Corinthians 10:4 AMP

We can continue to do battle while waiting for the Lord to move with assured confidence that we are making a difference! At other times me may be called to simply stand our ground on His Word and not give in to the lies of the enemy! The Scripture commands us,

“Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious].”

This is probably the most difficult verse in the Word of God to put into action in our lives! It requires reliability, truth, and the ability to trust God with the outcome! All of this is daily being crafted into our lives so that in the time of battle we can emerge victorious! Jesus told us,

“Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] 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 afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]” John 14:27 AMPLet me encourage you today to rest in the work of the Father in your life! Stand on the truth of His Word and the confirming power of the Holy Spirit in your life. The Scripture tells you that you are more than a conquered in Christ Jesus! Have a restful day! Pastor Ken