“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!” – Psalm 31:24 (ESV)
Devotional Reflection:
Life can be unpredictable, and at times, it feels like the challenges we face are more than we can handle. During these moments, it’s easy to feel discouraged, weak, or even hopeless. But the psalmist offers a powerful reminder in Psalm 31:24: there’s strength and courage available to us when we place our hope in the Lord.
The act of waiting on God is often seen as passive, but in reality, it's one of the most active things we can do. It requires faith, trust, and a willingness to believe that God is working behind the scenes, even when we can't see it. This verse encourages us to be strong, not in our own abilities, but in the assurance that God is faithful and that He will never abandon us.
In real-time, I find myself in this place of waiting on the Lord, as this journey has stretched over eight long years with my oldest daughter. I can’t share all the details, but the weight of this waiting has often felt heavy, especially as our relationship seems to become more challenging with each passing year. She’s about to turn fourteen, and it feels like the difficulties only intensify as time goes on.
Her mother, who is not my wife, holds a deep sense of dislike and unforgiveness towards me, and it has created a barrier that feels impossible to overcome. When my daughter was born, I was only nineteen and far from living a life that honored God. But when she was six, I fully devoted myself to being a disciple of Christ, and I was overjoyed at the thought of her witnessing the transformation God was doing in my life.
However, shortly after I got married, life brought a series of challenges, and the relationship with my daughter’s mother became strained. This situation has driven me to my knees more times than I can count, pleading with God for grace and praying that the same grace He extended to me would be known to my daughter and her mother. It’s been eight years, and there are days when I feel like giving up, when the weight of waiting feels like too much to bear.
But in those moments, God gently reminds me to wait on Him, to trust in His perfect timing, and to hold onto the hope that He is still working. So, I continue to pray, trusting that one day, God will bring healing, restoration, and peace to my family. Please pray for us as we navigate this journey daily, holding on to the hope that God is faithful and that His promises never fail.
Personal Application:
Today, let's choose to place our hope in the Lord, no matter what we're facing. Here are some practical steps to keep our hearts anchored in His promises:
Pray with Expectation: Instead of praying with worry, pray with the confidence that God hears you and is already at work in your situation. Remember that He is a God who listens and responds.
Meditate on His Word: Fill your mind and heart with scriptures that remind you of God’s faithfulness. Write them down, recite them, and let them be a source of strength and encouragement.
Encourage Others: Sometimes the best way to remind ourselves of God’s hope is by encouraging others. Reach out to someone who may be struggling, share a word of encouragement, or pray for them. In doing so, you'll find your own hope renewed.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for being our source of hope and strength. In moments when we feel weak or discouraged, remind us that You are faithful, and Your promises are true. Help us to wait on You with courage, knowing that You are working all things together for our good. Fill us with Your peace and hope today, and may we be a light to others who need encouragement. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Call To Action:
Are you facing a situation that feels hopeless? Take heart, and place your hope in the Lord. He is faithful, and He will see you through. I’d love to hear how this verse has encouraged you—share your story in the comments below or join the conversation on social media with the hashtag #UpliftKingdom. And if you need a reminder of God’s peace, check out all products in the store at https://hashtaguplift.com/collections/frontpage.
