Hopeful Waiting

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I take my camera with me most every place I go. If I can’t take my Sony A-65 with me, then I make sure my Sony a5000 or cell phone are close at hand.

My D-SLT camera was a part of my luggage to a men’s retreat sponsored by Holy Cross. I was excited about the possibility of some night photography. At six in the morning I tried to shoot a full moon;

It didn’t work.

Knowing that the sun would soon crest over the eastern horizon I waited. It was cold and slightly windy, yet I waited.  I was on sensory overload when the sun made its appearance. The colors were brilliant and the clouds soft, yet dramatic.

“Wait with hope for the LORD. Be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Yes, wait with hope for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14 God’s Word to the Nations

Life might not be turning out for you the way that you expected.  You’re in a season of life where you understand the call of the psalmist to “be strong, and let your heart be courageous.” The last thing that you need to hear are the words, “wait with hope for the LORD.”

As King David penned these words he struggled with workers of evil who desired to devour him (27:2). That might be how you feel at this moment. You understand the encouragement to “be strong” but to “wait with hope for the LORD” seems counter intuitive. You don’t want to wait. You want results and you want them now.

Jesus stood strong in the face of the cross that you might find courage to face the battles confronting you today. It is in Jesus that you find the courage to stand strong. And in standing strong you wait with hope for the Lord.

Copyright Douglas P. Brauner

About Douglas Brauner

I'm a retired pastor, blogger, and photographer. (Oh, and did I mention husband and father?) I encourage people who wrestle with life to focus on Christ so that they experience hope and joy on life's treadmill.