God gives us special graces, especially in light of the passing of days, with thwarted hope, aching bones, and inner keening for lasting deliverance. This gift of despondency helps us to awaken and to reach out to find the Real, the True, the Eternal. Learn to wait; ask God for the wisdom of patience. Between acceptance and anxiety, always choose acceptance. Find hope while waiting…
Many people want healing apart from the cure. How many settle for half-measures? While you might find respite for your suffering in temporary measures, you cannot have lasting healing apart from the divine remedy…
An old Jewish prayer, uttered somewhat wistfully, begins, “O Lord, I know that Thou wilt help us; but wilt Thou help us before Thou wilt help us?” It’s not always easy to wait for God, especially when we are in pain or anxiety, but we must never, ever, give up; we must never ever, abandon our heart’s longing for ultimate healing. Faith excercises hope in the Reality, Substance, and Being (ὑπόστασις) of the Invisible and is made captive to undying hope (Heb. 11:1). Therefore the Spirit cries out: “Wait for the LORD; be strong and he will strengthen your heart; and (again) wait for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14).
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In this verse, the imperative verb translated “wait” is the Hebrew word kaveh (קַוֵּה), which might better be rendered as “look for with anticipation!” or “hope!” (the same root appears in the Hebrew word for hope, i.e., tikvah: תִּקְוָה). Therefore hope in the Lord and “chazak!” – be strong! (the Septuagint translates chazak as “andridzou” (ἀνδρίζου – act like a man!). Note that the verb ve’ametz is a causal active stem (i.e., Hiphal) in the “jussive mood,” which means it is imperative – “command your heart to be strengthened,” or “let your heart be made strong!” Make the decision to be strong in the LORD, and the LORD will give you strength to bear your present suffering: “Look to the LORD (קַוֵּה אֶל־יְהוָה) and find hope.”
When we put our hope in the LORD, strong in our conviction, we will be given courage to bear whatever may befall us – and this is help indeed during these perilous days! So “hope to the LORD (קַוֵּה אֶל־יְהוָה); be strong and strengthen your heart; and (again) hope to the LORD.” There can be no turning to God without genuine hope (תִּקְוָה). Indeed, as the Apostle Paul wrote: “We are saved by hope” (Rom. 8:24).