Be Strong

"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" — Psalm 27:14

Waiting is not always fun. This is especially true of men who like to fix things as our waiting produces anxiety—an anxiety that will construct evasive plans in the idle mind. Given any time to ruminate on the issue that needs a resolution, we tend to devise a plan of action rather than "wait for the Lord." While we think devising a plan will relieve the tension, this is a mistaken belief. Yet, in our anxiety and rumination, we convince ourselves that our plan of action is strong. But what if this was only a show of our weakness? What if real strength was restraining the impulse to act on our behalf, and waiting a little longer for the Lord? Be full of strength and courage today and wait longer.

DO THIS: Wait just a little longer.

PRAY THIS: God, my human impulses persuade me to act of my own will. But your Word is clear, and it bookends my strength and courage with a single phrase "wait for the Lord—wait for the Lord." In my waiting, increase my strength, and sustain my courage. Let me live in the present but assume future graces.