A Response to Change

 

A response to change

Meditations

The seventieth decade of life has descended on me. While my body feels the wear of the years, my brain feels like I’m sixteen going on seventeen. If life was an hourglass, the sands would be running out.

Eight years ago, I heard former Super Bowl winning football coach and current NASCAR owner Coach Joe Gibbs describe life as a football game. He had turned seventy-five years old and likened his age to being in the fourth quarter of a football game. The officials have given the two-minute warning.

He said, “To achieve all your life’s aspirations, when you’re my age, it’s time to run the hurry-up offense. You feel the pressure of time running out. The clock will be all zeros before you know it.”

Writing has always been a key part of my aspirations, but more importantly, I want to share the life lessons I’ve learned from my loved ones, military experience, and Christian leaders. I’ll call the lessons learned “The Meditations of Jimmie Aaron Kepler.”

Change

During my early twenties, I served as a second lieutenant in the US Army. My previous company commander’s term ended, and a new captain took charge. The new commander brought about significant changes. Lightning quickness describes the pace of change. My role shifted from leading a rifle platoon to leading a weapons platoon.

Change dominated the day. I asked my father, a military retiree, for advice. Overwhelmed and frustrated best described my feelings during this process. I was my first experience going through a change of command.

My father emphasized that change is the sole constant in life. My ability to adapt to change was crucial for survival in the workplace. He told me that the new company commander or any boss or supervisor makes changes. I need to support those changes and help him or her succeed.

Dad told me if I can’t get along with the new commander or boss, I need to “get along.”

I asked him what he meant by that statement.

He told me I should be able to work with or adapt to any manager or leader placed over me. If I decide I don’t want to work or follow the new person’s leadership, I need to move on – get along to a new job. He said that it’s me who has to change; I will never change my boss. Me developing a negative or resistant attitude because of the changes does no one any good.

Dad quoted Philippians 4:11 from the Bible, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

He added, “Jim, it’s up to you to be content where you live, where you work, with your friends, with your family, and with your boss. Quit your whining, adjust your attitude, and be happy you have a successful job and a loving family. Now go help make your new boss a success. When he succeeds, you succeed.”

Why Should We Wait on the Lord?

Waiting:

Waiting on God’s timing can be hard. The Bible gives us guidance on waiting in Psalm 27:14.

Bible Verse:

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”

Psalm 27:14 KJV

Who wrote Psalm 27:14 and when was it written?

Psalm 27:14 was written by King David. It is part of the Book of Psalms, which is traditionally attributed to him. 

The exact date of its writing is uncertain, but it is believed to have been composed during David’s reign as King of Israel, around the 10th century BC.

What is the context of Psalm 27:14?

King David expresses his trust and confidence in God despite facing adversaries and challenges. 

Throughout the psalm, David speaks of seeking refuge in God, finding strength in His presence, and waiting patiently for His deliverance.

Verse 14 encourages patience and courage in waiting for God’s timing and intervention. 

It emphasizes the idea of trusting in God’s plan and relying on His strength to sustain us through difficult times.

What does Psalm 27:14 mean?

Psalm 27:14 encourages believers to trust in the Lord and wait patiently for His timing. It emphasizes the importance of having courage and faith while enduring trials or waiting for answers to prayers. 

The promise is that God will strengthen the hearts of those who put their trust in Him and wait for His guidance and provision.

What does “wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart:” from Psalm 27:14 mean?

Psalm 27:14 is an encouragement to trust in God and have patience in His timing. It advises believers to wait patiently for the Lord’s guidance, help, and deliverance in difficult times. 

The phrase “wait on the Lord” implies a sense of dependence on God and His plans, rather than relying solely on human efforts or understanding.

The verse also encourages believers to be courageous and not lose heart while waiting for God’s intervention. It assures that God will provide strength and support to those who trust in Him.

Psalm 27:14 is about maintaining faith, courage, and patience in God, even when facing challenges or uncertainties in life.

What is the difference in biblical translations of Psalm 27:14 (KJV and ESV)? 

Psalm 27:14 KJV biblical translation says:

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”

Psalm 27:14 ESV biblical translation says:

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”

How does Psalm 27:14 give encouragement?

Psalm 27:14 provides encouragement in several ways:

  1. Encouragement to Wait on the Lord: It reminds believers to be patient and trust in God’s timing. Waiting on the Lord implies putting faith in His plan and recognizing that He knows what is best for us.
  2. Encouragement to Be Courageous: Psalm 27:14 encourages believers to have courage despite their circumstances. It acknowledges that waiting on the Lord may require endurance and steadfastness, but assures that God will provide the strength needed to persevere.
  3. Promise of Strength: Psalm 27:14 promises that as we wait on the Lord and remain courageous, He will strengthen our hearts. This strength comes from the Lord’s presence and enables believers to face challenges with confidence.

Psalm 27:14 encourages believers to trust in God’s timing, to be courageous in the face of adversity, and to rely on His strength to sustain them through difficult times.

How can I apply Psalm 27:14 to my life?

Here are some ways you can apply Psalm 27:14 to your life:

  1. Trust in God’s Timing: Psalm 27:14 encourages patience and trust in God’s timing. Sometimes, things don’t happen as quickly as we would like them to, but waiting on the Lord means trusting that He knows what is best for us and will act in His perfect timing.
  2. Be Courageous: Psalm 27:14 calls us to be of good courage while we wait. Waiting can be difficult and uncertain, but having courage means facing challenges with confidence, knowing that God is with us every step of the way.
  3. Seek Strength from God: When we wait on the Lord, He promises to strengthen our hearts. This means that as we wait patiently for His guidance and provision, He will give us the inner strength and resilience we need to endure and overcome any trials or obstacles we may face.
  4. Persist in Waiting: The repetition of “wait, I say, on the Lord” emphasizes the importance of patience and perseverance in waiting on God. It’s a reminder to continually trust in Him, even when the waiting seems long or difficult.
  5. Pray for Guidance: While waiting, continue to pray and seek God’s guidance. Use this time of waiting to deepen your relationship with Him through prayer, meditation on His word, and seeking His will for your life.

Applying Psalm 27:14 to your life involves trusting in God’s timing, being courageous, seeking strength from Him, persisting in waiting, and continually seeking His guidance through prayer and meditation on His word.

A model or example prayer using Psalm 27:14:

A prayer based on tPsalm 27:14 might go something like this:

Dear Lord,

As I face challenges and uncertainties in life, help me to wait patiently on You. Grant me the courage to trust in Your timing and Your plans. 

Strengthen my heart, Lord, so that I may remain steadfast in faith, even when the journey is difficult. 

May I find peace and confidence in knowing that You are always with me, guiding and protecting me. 

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

What are five takeaways from Psalm 27:14?

Here are five takeaways from Psalm 27:14:

  1. Patience and Trust: Psalm 27:14 emphasizes the importance of waiting on the Lord, indicating the need for patience and trust in His timing and plan.
  2. Courage: It encourages believers to be of good courage, suggesting that maintaining courage is essential while waiting on God.
  3. Divine Strength: The promise of divine strength is given to those who wait on the Lord, indicating that God provides the necessary strength to endure difficulties and challenges.
  4. Repeated Emphasis: The repetition of the phrase “wait, I say, on the Lord” underscores its significance, highlighting the importance of relying on God and not acting impulsively or out of fear.
  5. Encouragement to Persevere: Psalm 27:14 serves as an encouragement for believers to persevere in their faith and to continue trusting in God’s guidance and provision, even in times of uncertainty or waiting.

 

This blog is adapted from his  book, “Wait Upon the Lord: Waiting For God’s Movement and Activity in Your Life” in Book Four from “The Bible Speaks to Life Issues” which  will be released in the Spring of 2024. You can learn more of the book series and purchase it at MORE INFO ABOUT SERIES.

What Does the Bible Say About Hope?

 

What Does the Bible Say About Hope?

We can experience hope because of God and in God. God gives hope to the hopeless.

He shines His light in the darkness. He heals the broken hearted and the broken world. Hope exists because of His redemption.

The Book of Psalms are full of hope. The Psalms point to a celebration of hope we have in the Lord God.

Psalms strengthen our faith. They can lighten our heart and heartache. They can also give us hope for the future and a clear vision of the hope we have in the Lord.

Here are ten Psalms that share the hope we have in the Lord.

Psalm 27:13-14 KJV – The Lord’s Goodness

 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14 KJV

Psalm 37:1-6 KJV – Trust in the Lord

Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

Psalm 33:18-19 KJV – The Eye of the Lord

 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

Psalm 13:5-6 KJV – Trusted in Thy Mercy

But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

Psalm 51:10-12 KJV – Create, Renew, and Restore

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Psalm 34:17-20 KJV – The Lord Hears, Delivers, Saves, & Keeps

The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken

Psalm 121:1-2 KJV – From Where Do I Get Help?

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:7-8 KJV – Who Will Protect Us From Evil?

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Psalm 62:5-6 KJV – Who is My Rock?

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.

Psalm 42:5 KJV – Praise God For His Help

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

Man or woman’s ultimate hope comes from knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord? If you died tonight, would you go to heaven?

Here’s how can know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and be sure heaven is your eternal home. Click the link to read my personal story of accepting Jesus – Jimmie’s Story.

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