Wait for the Lord,
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.  Psalm 27:14

 

 

Wait for the Lord :: Photo Scripture Quote from Psalm 27:14 :: Joy Day! :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Okay.  I’ll admit it.  This waiting is really hard.

Really.  I don’t like it one bit.

I have never, ever, prayed for patience.

Maybe that’s why God has put my patience to the test.

 

What do you think when you read the words, be strong and take heart?

I know….they don’t seem too helpful do they?

And more waiting!  Really?

 

It’s easy to see a pretty picture like the one above and think, “That’s nice.”  And move on.

 

Alliums in the setting sunlight :: Joy Day! :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

 

I decided to take a look at that whole chapter of Psalm 27 to see why David would say this.

First of all….it helps to realize that these are the closing verses of  Psalm 27.

So, how does the Psalm begin?

The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?

Ah ha!  Of course!   If God is my light, my salvation, and the strength of my life….well…pretty much there isn’t anything left for me to do but wait.  He…has…DONE…it…ALL!!    Hallelujah!

As we read through the rest of the verses we discover that David is confident in the Lord, that God hides and shelters David, sets him high on a rock, and he even says God is his helper.  The next to the last verse, David says something pretty inspiring:

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

 

 

When I look at my situation right now, I could be totally overwhelmed, I could throw up my hands and give up, I could tell God he doesn’t know what he’s doing…or that’s he’s not any help…or…

I could speak truth.  Read truth.  Believe truth.

Today, I choose to put my faith in the Lord, my Light and my Salvation, the God of angel armies, the Almighty, Redeemer, Restorer, Rebuilder, Provider, Healer, Holy, Powerful, Faithful, Trustworthy, and loving Heavenly Father.

 

What is it that you are facing?

Join me in believing that He is able to do amazingly more than we can ask or imagine.

Pray big crazy audacious prayers.  Trust HIM.  And….wait on the Lord!!

Let’s be confident like David.  Confident to see the goodness of the Lord….here and now.

 

Disclaimer.  I felt totally overwhelmed this week.  I wanted to quit.  And then I realized…if I chose to do that a minute longer…the enemy wins and I lose.  So….I got out my Bible and read truth, my journal to write truth, and then I prayed it out loud and spoke truth.  This embeds truth in my mind.  And I wait for the Lord.  The ONE who has perfect timing.  The ONE who gives perfect peace.  The ONE who gives JOY when there seems to be none around.

5-26 :: Joy Day! :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

It’s Joy Day!

 

The day when we look back over our past week….the good and the not-so-good (okay the awful)…and count ‘seven.’  Seven things for which we choose to be grateful and give thanks.

Will you join me in this?

I’ll start:

Lord, I’m thankful for…

  1. YOU.  That you ARE my rock, my shield, my provider
  2. the privilege of being a guest host with the Monday Funday gals
  3. the most delicious soup, ever!
  4. that five dollar bill hiding in the wedding card from Patty for all these years
  5. your WORD….food for my soul
  6. Iris blooming in my garden
  7. knowing I am not alone in this adventure

 

Now it’s YOUR turn!!  Please scroll down to “Share Your Thoughts” and tap in your ‘seven.’
When we count and give thanks….joy comes.  I’m pretty sure you need more joy, too.

If this counting does for you what it does for me, then you just might want to take the Joy Dare here.

 

Thank you, my dear friends, for sticking with me on this journey.  I pray that God will use something here to bless and encourage and strengthen you.  May you know how very much you are loved.  Cherished.   May you know HOPE in newness and freshness.  And may you know and believe HIS truth.

It really is An Extraordinary Day!   Live it to the full!

Diane

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Comments

  1. What gorgeous photography! But, your encouragement and faith touch me the most! Keep up this wonderful blog. I know many are encouraged as they read…

    • Diane says

      Mary Lise….thank YOU for your warm and encouraging words. I can tell you how much I appreciate your thoughts.
      May your week overflow with JOY!

  2. What a beautiful post, the pictures, the encouragement, the Word. Thank you for sharing your heart, Diane. And I loved your #4…it is a joy to find long lost forgotten money/gifts!

    When I read the part of the verse to wait for the Lord, it brought to mind the sermon from this morning which was about living our lives knowing that Jesus will return and will we be taken by surprise because of living a life we don’t want to be “caught” in or will we live a life that is pleasing to Jesus so that we will be overjoyed by His return. Good food for thought in how we find joy, how we love others, and what shows through in our daily lives.

    • Diane says

      Thank you Jessica! What’s also amazing…I just ‘found’ Patty again through Facbook after all those years, too.
      If we would live each day to the full for him and not ourselves…we wouldn’t even have a thought about it, would we. That ugly self just gets in the way of so much. Thanks for your kind and encouraging words.
      May week be joy-filled!

  3. Through all of my own struggles I have continued to hang on to this verse that you mentioned:
    I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
    That encourages my determination and makes me more aware of all the many wonderful things that bless me each day. So here are my seven:
    1.The opportunity to help a neighbor
    2. another neighbor helping me
    3. sunshine after the rain
    4. a huge moon
    5. a clean laundry room
    6. movie night with my girls
    7. silly cats

    • Diane says

      As I tapped that verse in, I remembered the convo we had about it sometime ago. It really is helpful. 🙂
      #4…I should have gotten up to see the huge moon…if only I had known….Tim told me about it the next morning.
      Thanks Jan, for taking time to share your seven.
      You are such a blessing in my life. [hugs]

  4. A year or so ago, when I was really struggling through a season, I memorized Psalm 27. Those words gave me so much strength and hope to get through each day. The Lord was strengthening my heart, keeping my eyes focused on desiring more of Him as my One Thing, and giving me hope that He was fighting this battle for me. In the waiting, I was truly being strengthened through Him and my head was lifted up as joy and praise was cultivated within. I love this post and the reminder of His words that got me through a rough time. Blessings to you! Love, Rachael @ Inking the heart

    • Diane says

      What a wonderful chapter to memorize. There is so much here to hang on to and mediate on. Thank you for sharing how the Lord strengthened your heart with these passages. Isn’t it great to realize that HE is fighting the battle for us?
      Thank you Rachael, for sharing your heartfelt thoughts.
      May your week overflow with JOY!

  5. Mia says

    Dear Dianne
    Last week I read something that made so much sense to me about this verse. The author said that this “waiting” is not so much a matter of passive waiting, but more a case of waiting for our Pappa to empower us with His life and acting in our stead! Hope this helps a bit with the impatience!!
    Much love from Playdates.
    Mia

    • Diane says

      That’s interesting Mia. I had forgotten…but I was going to share a story I had read somewhere a while back. I wish I could remember the source. Streams?
      Anyway…there was a little boy who had asked his grandma for a present for his birthday. His birthday came and left and his mom suggested that grandma must have forgotten. He denied it. He said that grandma said she would get it and she will. Mom mentioned it again and the boy remained steadfast. After a conversation, he decided he would write to grandma and thank her for the gift he didn’t yet receive. She sent him a letter back telling of all the roadblocks she had to getting the exact gift….but finally it all came together and he received his gift. And then he told his mom…see…I told you grandma was getting it…I had no doubt. I think that is active waiting….don’t you?
      Thanks so much for your thoughtful words….what a blessing. 🙂
      May your week over flow with JOY!!

  6. Mel says

    I could feel the passion in your writings…and see the love of all created things in the photos. And if I had something to offer up to bring you comfort and HOPE equal to those truths, I would toss it out there for you. But there’s nothing bigger than that love that He has for you…no topping that.
    Just a gentle reminder that you are not alone. Ever. *hugs*

    And the joys for the week:
    * being allowed to return to work full time
    * rediscovering that I AM capable, in so many ways
    * persevering in the face of adversity
    * the triangle of planets at sundow
    * splashing in puddles
    * the rainbow that reminded me that G-d keeps His promises
    * the friendly coffee nook

    • Diane says

      Oh my friend….you came by….and that is encouragement and blessing to my soul.
      There’s a song that came to mind as I was reading your words…I’m not sure if this is the title or not, but the words from it…”Oh how he loves me” came flowing into my mind along with the tune. And HE loves you too, Mel. 😉
      How rejoice with you in your ‘seven’ and especially #1 with 2 & 3 being amazing too.
      May He strengthen and give you JOY beyond measure in your new week. [hugs]

  7. This is a lovely and touching post you wrote. Lots of inspiration, not only in the words but looking at those beautiful perfect flowers as well. Thank you for sharing this at the WEDNESDAYS ADORNED FROM ABOVE Blog Hop !

    • Diane says

      Thank you Linda….it’s from the heart. And I’m thrilled that you enjoy the flowers. My favorite thing to do is to spy some lovely flowers and try to capture their beauty. It was so nice of you to stop by and leave your thoughtful remarks. May your week overflow with HIS joy!

  8. Roxy says

    Hello. I also have been in a waiting time. It has had to do with my giftings in the body. And just tis last Sunday, I was called out by our leadership and was given the blessings to function in it. They have confirmed it!
    I was so taken back, but yet I know it was God’s timing.
    I did enjoy this post (I hope to stop in again)
    Blessings, Roxy

    • Diane says

      Praise God!! I am thrilled for you Roxy to know God’s perfect will for you at this time. May you bless many through your exercise of your spiritual gifts. Blessings!

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