By Carter Bowman

“Wait for the Lord; Be strong and courageous and wait.” – Psalm 27:14

In my devotions this morning, this verse stood out to me. It made me want to dig a little deeper and break the verse down.

This verse is the last one in Psalm 27, a Davidic psalm, titled ‘My Stronghold’. A stronghold is a fortress or refuge; throughout the psalm, David says again and again that the Lord will rescue him from harm and that even when those close to you leave you, the Lord is still there (27:10).

David talks about the Lord’s faithfulness in this psalm. So when it comes to the end of the psalm, and David says to wait on the Lord, it’s because he knows the Lord will come through. He knows the Lord is faithful to His promises. David knows this because the Lord has been there for him time after time.

“Though an army deploys against me, my heart is not afraid; though a war breaks out against me, still I am CONFIDENT.” – Psalm 27:3 David is confident that the Lord is there with him and that everything is working out for his ultimate good. So we should be too.

I feel like I’m constantly going through trials that test my patience—you would think I would learn to be patient, but no, I’m still learning and growing. Yet, the Lord continues to test me because He loves me, and because He wants to show me that He is here for me.

Sometimes I think we forget that, I know I do. I think we forget that when we are a part of the Lord’s family, He is forever for us. So it is dumb to think you’re alone, unworthy or unwanted— I’m talking mostly to myself here—because the God of the universe is with you and for you always.

And so, if He is for us then who can be against us? No person or power can stand against us! So when you feel like the Lord is telling you to wait for something, wait expectantly. While you’re waiting, if you get scared that He won’t come through, or you won’t be able to do what you think the Lord is asking, or you think this isn’t what you want, be courageous. Have the courage to push through the hard times and scary thoughts. Derive courage from the Lord.

Be strong in the Lord, knowing what He has planned is good for you, and you are fully able to do it. Grow strong in the waiting period. Gain strength from the Lord and His love for you.

“Wait for the Lord; Be strong and courageous and wait.” – Psalm 27:14