Wait for the Lord
"I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart
take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord…" Psalm 27:13-14
His father watched from a distance as the young man quickly stuffed the money he had been given into animal skin sacks, and then shoved clothing and supplies into the remaining spaces. A smirk of satisfaction played across the son's face as he cinched the leather cords tightly together, closing the tops of the bags. "Good-bye, Father," he casually called back over his shoulder as his sandals hit the dusty road at a rapid pace, almost running toward the sun that was just beginning to touch the horizon.
The old man's eyes remained fixed on the robed figure trotting into the distance until his youngest completely disappeared from his sight. "I will lift up mine eyes to the hills, from whence cometh my help? My help cometh from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; He that keepeth thee will not slumber…"(Psalm 121:1-3) the father recited aloud in low, broken tones. Weeping softly, he slowly dropped onto aging knees beside the rolled bed mat where he remained in prayer until the sun, that just vanished, appeared again in gentle hues of pinks and violets.
The household returned to daily chores with one less pair of hands to labor. From time to time, the ol' gentleman cast a hopeful glance toward the west but his son did not appear. Turning his focus from the horizon toward heaven, he prayed "I will rest, in You, O Lord, and wait patiently for You." (Psalm 37:7) Days turned into weeks and weeks lengthened into seemingly endless months. Rising early one morning, the father made his way in the coolness of the day toward the stone well. Looking in the distance beyond the well, the old man suddenly dropped the water jar. His heart overflowed with compassion as he ran with outstretched arms down the dusty road.
Love well, forgive well, pray well, trust well, wait well, receive well!
Additional resource:
"The Prodigal's Mother" Bible study. For email addition, contact Jill at misjill413@aol.com
2 Spout:
This is absolutely one of my favorite posts you've written! Brings the story to life, for sure!
Thank you, Karen! What an encouraging compliment coming from you, an exceptionally gifted writer yourself! :)
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