July 18

Psalm 27:14  Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. (NIV 2008)
                     
Wait on the LORD: Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD. (American King James Version)


Another translation issue: http://bible.cc/psalms/27-14.htm Of the 16 translations I read, 25% had one slight addition that changes the complexion of this verse.  "He (God) will strengthen your heart" was a part of four of the translations.  I think that is an important part of this verse not present in most of the translations.  For the majority of the translations the message is we are to strengthen our own hearts.  We are to be strong on our own volition.  If that were the case, why pray?  Why cry out to the Lord?  No, strength comes from the Lord.  Courage is from God.  He will strengthen our hearts.  

Blackaby uses the example of David to illustrate the importance of today's verse.  He writes about how after David was promised the kingship of Israel he was hunted by crazy King Saul, lived in caves and saw good friends murdered and his possessions taken.  Yet it was during these times David wrote some of his most powerful Psalms.  He learned how to be a leader of men.  Battle tactics were honed and resolve was forged.  Many of the attributes that were necessary for David to be a successful king were developed during this time of "waiting on the Lord".

I think the caution in this verse is the "waiting" part.  I know I have gone through seasons where I felt there was something just on the horizon for me in terms of service to the Lord.  Something not quite clear He had in mind for me.  On occasion I have used this as an excuse to "wait on the Lord" and do little.  That is wrong thinking.

If we feel God has something in store for us down the road, that is no excuse not to give 100% to what we do know He wants us to do.  We know we are to help the less fortunate.  We know we are to spend time alone with Him each day.  We know we are to be a spiritual leader in our home.  We know we are to gather with other believers on a consistent basis.  "Wait on the Lord"?  Be careful that is not an excuse to coast.  It just might God will withhold the very thing we are waiting on until He sees we are faithful in what we do know He wants us to do.  "Waiting on the Lord" is active, not passive.