1602) I think one of the most difficult challenges to our faith is having to wait. We wait for medical information. We patiently await the Lord’s answer to our prayers. We are waiting for guidance that seems to be taking its time. We wait for God’s provision, which can come in unexpected forms. We wait for the life beyond this world that will hold no more suffering and pain. This life is about waiting and it takes courage to wait.

David tells us in Psalm 27:14 we are to wait and fill our hearts with courage, because the Lord will act. The word in the Hebrew for wait is qavah קָוָה which means twisted and stretched. The Hebrew word for courage is chazaq  חָזַק which means to grow firm and strong. Putting these two definitions together David tells us to anticipate being twisted and stretched but trusting God anyway will allow us to grow firm and strong in our faith.

We must stand firm on what God promises us and in doing so, we can have courage to endure.