“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
Words repeated in Scripture often carry special significance. In Psalm 27:14, we see a beautiful symmetry: “Wait for the Lord” bookends the verse, embracing the central encouragement to “be strong and take heart.” This structure isn’t just poetic; it’s profoundly meaningful for our faith journey.
The first “Wait for the Lord” is a call to patience. It’s an invitation to pause our hurried lives and remember that God’s timing is perfect. Like the Israelites circling Jericho, we’re called to trust in God’s plan, even when it doesn’t match our preferred timeline. This waiting isn’t passive; it’s an active posture of expectancy.
“Be strong” reminds us that waiting requires strength. Waiting can be exhausting, testing our resolve and challenging our faith. But God doesn’t call us to wait without also providing the strength to endure. This strength isn’t just physical; it’s a deep, spiritual fortitude that comes from trusting in God’s faithfulness.
“Take heart” encourages us to maintain hope and courage. In the midst of waiting, it’s easy to become discouraged. But this phrase urges us to keep our spirits up, to hold onto hope. It’s a reminder that God is working even when we can’t see it, just as He was working behind Jericho’s seemingly impenetrable walls.
The second “Wait for the Lord” is a reassurance. After telling us to be strong and take heart, the psalmist repeats the call to wait. It’s as if he’s saying, “Yes, waiting is hard, but I’ll say it again – wait for the Lord.” This repetition underscores the importance of patience in our faith walk.
The sandwich structure of this verse teaches us that strength and courage are found in the waiting. It’s not about gritting our teeth and enduring until God moves. Rather, the very act of waiting on the Lord infuses us with His strength and fills our hearts with His courage.
Waiting on God is transformative. Just as the Israelites were changed by their week of marching around Jericho, we are shaped by our seasons of waiting. Our faith deepens, our patience grows, and our trust in God’s timing is reinforced. The waiting itself becomes a crucible for spiritual growth.
In 1975, Gary Miracle joined the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ (now Cru). He felt called to minister in East Germany, but for 14 years, his visa applications were repeatedly denied. Gary didn’t give up. He learned German, prepared for his mission, and continued to apply. Finally, in 1989, just months before the fall of the Berlin Wall, Gary’s visa was granted. His years of waiting positioned him perfectly to minister to East Germans during a pivotal time of transition. Gary’s story beautifully illustrates our verse. He waited on the Lord, twice – first in preparation, then in East Germany itself. In between, he remained strong and took heart, trusting God’s timing. His patience allowed him to be in the right place at the right time for a unique ministry opportunity.
“Patience is not simply the ability to wait – it’s how we behave while we’re waiting.” – Joyce Meyer, Christian author and speaker. This quote aligns beautifully with our verse, reminding us that waiting is an active, strengthening process, not a passive state.
Godseekers, when you find yourself in a season of waiting, remember this verse. Let the call to wait wash over you, not once but twice. And in between, draw on God’s strength and take heart. Your waiting is not in vain; it’s a powerful space where God is at work in you and for you.
Prayer
Lord, as we wait on You, fill us with Your strength and courage. Help us to see our times of waiting not as delays, but as opportunities for growth and deepening trust. May we find Your peace and purpose in every season of waiting. Remind us that You are always working, even when we can’t see it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Personal Reflection
- Reflect on a time when you had to wait on God. How did you see His strength and courage manifest in your life during that time?
- In what area of your life do you currently need to “be strong and take heart” while waiting on the Lord?
Step of Faith
Today, identify a situation where you’re waiting on God. Write down the phrase “Wait for the Lord” at the top and bottom of a page. In the middle, list specific ways you can “be strong and take heart” in this situation. Choose one action from your list to implement this week, consciously connecting it to your trust in God’s timing.
