Lord, Help Me to Hold Out!
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13 (NKJV)
There is perhaps nothing that grates on our faith like waiting. Most of us can keep the faith and hold on through the ebbs and flows and ups and downs of life for a little while. But, when the seasons of hardness, pain, and difficulty linger, it can weigh us down. Even the strongest among us can feel like giving up and losing heart.
Waiting is heavy. Moreover, the burden of continuing to hope and pray that things will change and get better can be unbearable. Today, I encourage you (even as I encourage myself) to ask Jehovah for help to hold out. We must hold out and keep believing that we will see the goodness of the Lord, not just for some, but for all, while we yet live. We must hold out for justice. We must hold out for peace. We must share our strength with those whom we see losing their fire and becoming embittered and bruised by the journey of life.
Faith is not for the faint at heart. Yet, the hymn writer said that faith is the victory, for all who will yet believe. I do not have words to express my disgust and dismay over the continued violence, pain, and poverty experienced by so many people in our country, particularly people of color. I do not believe that this is God’s will. So, as we look to El Shaddai (God Almighty) for strength and power, we must also work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12) We must agitate, irritate, and require that our Nation live the ideals that it so eloquently writes and speaks. I will not give up on God, even while people continue to disappoint me. A change is gonna come. It must. I pray I can hold out until it does. I pray you can too.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12 (NKJV)
Thank you for the Word! What do we do? We continue to pray, hold onto hope and wait.
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength…” (Isaiah 40:31) NKJV
Thanks so much for reading and commenting! That Isaiah passage is a very good one to remember.
Awesome word. We can only grow so strong on the inside that nothing on the outside can affect our inner wellnes without our conscious permission. Please Lord Lord, help me to hold out Until my change come. My way may not easy, You did not say that it would be, But when it gets dark, I can’t see my way, You told me to put my trust in Thee, That’s why I’m asking you to help me to hold out.
Amen! Thank you for your comment. We must stay grounded in faith no matter what happens in life!
Beautiful and thoughtful piece! Just the words of encouragement I needed to hear. Peace and Light to you!
Thank you, Shana! This piece came straight from the heart! Love and blessings to you : )