When was the last time you felt like giving up in the middle of something difficult?
Many of us feel overwhelmed before we start something challenging. When we sense God's call, we typically measure the size of the task ahead, and we measure our previous track record. Many times, though, we forget to calculate that God will accompany us wherever he sends us, so we inaccurately measure our full potential.
But what about after we've taken that first step? Why is it that we lose heart so easily in the face of obstacles or opposition? It's a principle similar to that of measuring our potential: our motivation to continue is only as strong as what we've placed our hope in.
Perhaps what we've unwittingly done is try to build our reason for continuing on the shifting sand of flawed and impermanent things that were never meant to be the foundation of our meaning, purpose, and inner sense of well-being.
In other words, we lose heart because we anchor our hope in the wrong things. Have you? I know I have!
No human being is capable of carrying your hope; this side of heaven, we're all weak and flawed. No circumstance can carry your hope; every situation you're in is touched by the brokenness of the fall and isn't under your control. Amassing physical pleasures and possessions won't give you lasting hope; for all of their momentary enjoyment, they fill the senses but don't satisfy the heart.
When you look horizontally for your reason to continue, you'll inevitably end up losing hope. This is precisely why you could hear no better advice than that found in Psalm 27:14 - "Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!"
There's only one place where stable and reliable hope can be found. There's only one place of rest for your heart and surety for your soul. There's only one reliable place to find your reason to get up in the morning and continue. There's only one source of motivation that's sturdy enough to weather the storms of life in a fallen world.
When your hope is in the Lord, when you're getting your inner sense of well-being and security from him, and when he's the reason you continue even when things are hard, then you're building your life on something that's reliable and sure. When you're waiting on the Lord, you've placed your hope in One who's the ultimate source of everything that's wise, good, and true.
When you wait for the Lord, you're placing your safety in the hands of One whose power is immeasurable. When you wait for the Lord, you're getting your comfort from One whose love is boundless. When you wait for the Lord, you can be secure in the reality that he rules over all things. When you wait for the Lord, you can live with confidence because you know that every one of his promises is true. When you wait for the Lord, you can be hopeful even in weakness because you know that his grace is sufficient.
"Wait for the LORD" really does say it all!
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- When was the last time you felt like giving up in the middle of something difficult?
- Are you feeling overwhelmed and discouraged because your hope is in a flawed relationship, circumstance or material thing?
- How would your daily living change if you were actively waiting on the Lord? Think of at least 2 specific examples
