Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord (Psalm 27:14, NASB).
One of the most challenging seasons we all face, no matter what God has called us to, is the time-gap between God’s promise and his fulfillment. Initially he prepares our heart and gives us a glimpse of his plans. This vision fills us with hope. We feel unstoppable in God’s promise. We take the initial steps and are excited to see some fruit. But then . . . days become weeks and even months, and we’re still waiting for the fulfillment of what God has promised. Many of us don’t handle the waiting very well and we start to lose heart. We begin to forget the incredible promises God gave us and how that moment of faith felt when we first heard his voice.
So what can we do to increase our courage during the period of waiting?
Be willing to rest. Hearing God’s voice is like finding a well in the desert. We do not survive on our own thoughts or strength. His presence is our lifeblood, and he is our peace. God’s peace is the foundation for hearing his voice. It will be very difficult for us to stir up our hearts and keep them passionate and alive without being willing to rest in his presence. Psalm 24:17 reads, “Let your heart take courage” (NASB). If we are worrying and striving and trying to make things happen, it will be very difficult for us to find our peace and strength in God.
Today, if you’re dealing with anxiety, despair, or what seems like a lack of movement in your life, quiet yourself in God’s presence and let your heart grow in courage. That’s right, just be still before him. This is the starting point for everything we do. Here, God will prepare us for the change he is bringing and for the next step in the promise he has given us. [In the stillness, if you sense Him speaking, be sure to write it down!]
After spending some time in stillness before the Lord, begin to move into worship. Take a moment to worship him in whatever you’re doing. Despite circumstances that might diminish your joy, worship the Lord!
When we honor God with our praise, we are proclaiming his great worth and are acknowledging who he is. When we meditate on the truth of what God is like, his nature and how he does things, then our minds and hearts begin to agree with heaven. As we agree with heaven through the scriptures and through worship, we begin releasing heaven to earth. When we worship we say, “You are Lord!” “You are worthy,” “You are good,” and “Holy is the Lord.” By singing out these truths in worship we come into agreement with God! These declarations of truth cause our faith to expand and agree with what he has promised to do. The result is powerful intercession that extends the Kingdom of God into our lives where we need him the most.
You can begin practicing this two-step process today. Quiet your soul, and worship the Lord. Use these scriptures to get started.
The LORD is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. Psalm 28:6-7
You are good; For Your lovingkindness is everlasting. Psalm 106:1
You, O God, are my Rock! Your work is perfect, for all Your ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright are You. Deuteronomy 32:4
Now say this prayerful declaration out loud and focus on your mind and heart coming into agreement with the truths that it speaks.
Father, You say in Your Word that You are mindful of me and that You have a future and a hope for me. Therefore, I declare that no circumstance will limit the future You have for me, and that Your plans are superior to mine.
Father, would You give to me spiritual wisdom and insight so that I might grow in my knowledge of You. I pray that my heart would be flooded with light so that I can see and understand the confident hope You have given me.
Release understanding so that I would be able to experience the incredible greatness of God’s power toward me and know the fullness of Christ and the abundance of my inheritance in You. I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower me with inner strength through His Spirit. I declare that my roots are growing deep down into God’s love and will keep me strong. Thank You that You are releasing the revelation and faith necessary to understand, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep Your love is toward me. I receive today out of the abundance of Your love.
Tags: time, peace, anxiety, strength, waiting, promises, renew, declaration
