Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say on the LORD.
Holy Bible, King James version. Psalm 27:14
I have read this verse many times and meditated upon David’s words and psalms. What does waiting, courage, and strengthening look like in my life?
Three pictures enter my mind as I contemplate the word ‘wait.’ They are all different in context.
First, my mind sees Moses and the children of Israel hedged by the Egyptians behind and the Red Sea ahead. Nowhere to go, as fear strikes their hearts, they murmur and look to Moses, a man they trust, to rescue and lead them away from weighty burdens experienced in what had become their homeland for generations, since Joseph’s days in servitude. They lived in Egypt, not by personal choice, but by circumstance. Miraculous intervention brings them to the shores where their happy singing (I imagine) ceases with death’s grip reaching closer. Their hopeful faith wanes in the newness of their unexpected situation as they see the pursuing forces of Pharaoh.
10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord.
Holy Bible, King James version. Exodus 14.
11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?
12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
I find it interesting how the Israelites turn blame to Moses for their choice to follow him (verses 11-12). We do not know what they were saying in their cry to the Lord before they turned on the servant of God. We also do not know what percentage were accusatory. Sometimes the smallest group voices the loudest criticisms. These people, bearing grievous burdens while waiting on salvation, came together in obedience to Moses instructions to allow the plague of death to pass over before packing what they could to begin a wilderness journey of the unknown. That is courageous. Previously, they waited through the plagues sent by their God, through Moses.
Secondly, I am a spectator sitting eagerly at the feet of Jesus as he speaks in parables. One, in particular, causes some anxious introspection as I retreat to my abode. Deep in solitude’s self-examining heart, internalizing words striking a target, like an arrow into my soul, I lie awake.
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Holy Bible, King James version. Matthew 25
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he hall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
“When the Son of man shall come in his glory,” prophesies a future time when Jesus returns to the earth, known as his Second Coming. We live in the generations between his mortal ministry and that time to occur at some point in time unknown to man. How does he recognize his sheep? If I profess to wait for his return with anticipatory gladness and worshipful rejoicing, what does this time require of me? Is it easy? Can any of the requirements feel burdensome? Never enjoying his physical presence, but yearning to feel him beside me, lifting, carrying, and strengthening, I know these words have great significance to active waiting. He taught us by living to rescue, feed, visit, provide spiritual shelter, spiritual clothing, and quench the thirst of those in need.
Jeffrey R. Holland once said, “We have neighbors to bless, children to protect, the poor to lift up, and the truth to defend. We have wrongs to make right, truths to share, and good to do. In short, we have a life of devoted discipleship to give in demonstrating our love of the Lord. We can’t quit and we can’t go back. After an encounter with the living Son of the living God, nothing is ever again to be as it was before. The Crucifixion, Atonement, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ mark the beginning of a Christian life, not the end of it.” (https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/158936.Jeffrey_R_Holland)
Profound implications and a touchstone for my life beyond yesterday, today, and tomorrow, which chastises and teaches me through my attempts at application, I often reflect on my choices. I struggle, falter, fail, look upward, rise, repent, seek, strive, and succeed in hopeful faith that my wait is not in vain, qualifying me for the approval of my Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ. They continually avail themselves through my righteous desires and their unconditional love for me despite my imperfections and rebellious streak. Often my well-meaning intentions manifest themselves the hard way around stubborn or prideful tendencies.
Thirdly, my tears fall with those of a young woman, who, in humility, approaches Jesus from behind, without his bidding, and proceeds to ‘wait’ on him. I wish to become one with her intentions, worship, and unabashed showing of spiritual longing through sincere, heartfelt, loving devotion.
36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat.
Holy Bible, King James version. Luke 7.
37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
I wonder what this teaches me as one of the three “Wait upon the LORD:” scriptures that come immediately to my mind and heart. My life, like everyone else, is a wilderness adventure in mortal realms of a myriad of experiences in the refining fires of eternity, awaiting glories and mansions He promises. We all have talents, gifts, abilities, failings, weaknesses, and in need of the blessings offered through the atonement of Jesus Christ. I symbolically sit at the feet of my Savior and Redeemer daily, sometimes with my hair touching his feet to wipe my tears. Many references in the scriptures to the importance and purpose of anointing oil, I leave you to research and read. They are fascinating. Consecrating my thoughts, actions, and heart to Jesus takes consistency with eye-single to the glory of God. It is challenging and rewarding. My faith will save me. Each day I am blessed with breath, I learn and try to do my best. When I struggle and fail, with the courage to face my reality, he strengthens me. Sometimes the strength is a small dose, enough for comforting aid. Other times, the majesty of his merciful power is beyond my ability to comprehend. Most times, simple, not always quickly discernable, lift my heart, mind, and body to rejoice in his creations that strengthen my faith.
I wait upon the LORD by trying to emulate his teachings, serve him by serving my fellow-beings, and watch with spiritual eyes, listen with my heart, and humbly approach my God and Savior with heart, soul, and mind.
Life Happens . . . so does Waiting
=>What or who are you waiting for? Does waiting have different connotations?
Life Happens in Scriptural Musings. . . so does the Master’s Touch, and Rooftops, and Dioramas, Prayers, What Lack I Yet, Swords and Shields, Rescues, the Shepherd, and Faith and Wholeness.
Life Happen . . .so does A Contemporary Ballad of the Contemplative Voyager, so does Dispelling Emptiness in Aloneness, and Aw-ha Moments, Landscapes, so do . . ?, so . . ., Storms, Skeletons, Feet, Tents, Father/Daughter Memories, Missing Pieces, Waves, Gingerbread, What am I to do Now, and Choices.
