Psalm 27:13-14
Unless I was confident to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living—Wait for the Lord. Be strong and take heart, and wait for the Lord!
Dear Heavenly Father,
When we struggle with things of this world, these verses give us excellent advice to wait for you. This world continues to produce trouble, from wars, political upheavals, natural disasters, divided families, and the evilness of people. We might have some good days, but it is easy to see that goodness will not come from this world. Every aspect of our lives is ravaged by the effects of sin: sickness, disease, and viruses, along with the steady progression towards our life’s end. David knew to wait for you when others were hunting him, and he wrote these words inspired by the Holy Spirit.
For David, his greater son, Jesus, would bring the solution to all sins’ problems. Old Testament believers waited for the Savior who would come to Bethlehem, the one laid in a manger; he was holy to save the world from its sins. Jesus suffered the punishment for every sin, including our sins, when he went to the cross. As your sinless Son, he took our punishment for everything we have done; it is there that he demonstrated perfect love for us. It is in faith started by the Holy Spirit that we believe in his saving work and returning us to you.
Give us the resilience to wait for you, to listen to your words, and to hear your love for us as you say through Jesus— “You are forgiven!” When the world comes at us, let us be strong and take heart, and wait patiently for you. If you have settled our sin’s debt, will you not also take care of our other troubles?
Please let us share this good news to be strong and take heart, and wait for you with others who do not know you so that they will also learn to wait for you because you have already forgiven them. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
Be strong and take heart, and wait for the Lord; he has already demonstrated his faithfulness and love for you by sending Jesus to remove your every sin.