Wait

CHRISTIAN LIVING TODAY

“I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord.” — Ps 27:13–14 The journey of faith includes challenges and uncertainties, and in these moments of waiting, our trust in God’s plan is truly tested.

When we draw strength from the promise of the Lord’s goodness, we find solace and assurance. However, such seasons of life may also rattle us to the core and call for clarifying what we do believe— it challenges us to live out our faith.

Scripture declares the goodness of God.

Today, a favorite and encouraging song is “The Goodness of God,” sung so beautifully by CeCe Winans. If this is unfamiliar to you, search it out online and listen until the lyrics penetrate your soul.

In Psalm 27:14, “the goodness of God” is followed by strong verbs: wait, be strong, take courage. The Hebrew meaning of “wait” includes “look for hope and expect; to wait eagerly for and rely upon.” It implies action, for it is based on the goodness of God. He concerns Himself with our welfare, and His goodness provides us courage to follow His instruction— wait.

Be of good courage, be strong. This definition of “strong” includes “prevail, be secure, strengthen, restore strength, encourage and make bold—and to strengthen oneself.” This phrase again indicates action, based upon the goodness of God. Fortify oneself. Be alert. Persist. Continue the path following the goodness of God.

And courage? Courage envelops the meanings of strength, so being courageous is being strong. When such times happen, I rarely feel strong or courageous; I view myself as just being obedient. I guess I can stand a bit taller and realize that being strong is courageous—trusting God’s goodness by going onward.

Ah, but King David emphasizes wait—two times. We hate to wait: long lines, traffic, deliveries or repairmen.

Think about what makes a good waiter in an upscale restaurant. Well, the waiter offers service, and when told, “We’re not ready yet,” the waiter waits. He or she pauses until we are ready.

So, God says for us to wait—and because He is good—we pause, trusting His goodness.

We wait.

Until next week, Anita Onarecker, an Elgin resident, author of “Divine Appointment: Our Journey to the Bridge” and minister to women and adults, earned a Master of Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2007.