Daily Devotional #1,666

I left right after church for the fairgrounds. I had to get there as soon as possible because my granddaughter and  other youngsters from our church were showing their turkeys and chickens! I try to be at as many of those  kinds of events as possible, to see them compete and then hopefully to see them honored for their work. I  rushed in there and had missed one part of the turkey judging but I got to see my granddaughter show her  chicken and then be grilled by the examiner on everything from scientific names, parts of the chicken and what  she likes best at KFC. Well, maybe not that last one… But she had done so well and so we could hardly wait  for the awards presentation. She was finished by 1:00 pm and they told us that the awards ceremony would  happen just as quickly as possible. Well 2:00 pm arrived and then 3 and then 4 and then 5 and at almost 6:00  pm they finally came back out with the awards and were ready to honor the kids. We almost gave up and went  home…but we didn’t. It was a long day, but finally the judges made their announcements, and all the kids did  well, and I got to see my granddaughter receive 4 different awards! But I had almost given up. It was hot and I  was in a massive barnlike structure with scores and scores of turkeys and chickens. Yeah…just think about that  for a while. I had almost quit and just gone home…but I waited, because I believed the end would be worth it.  Sometimes we feel that way about God. Maybe you’ve been praying for something or someone and it seems  like there is no answer or movement from God. You wait and you wait and think that maybe God just didn’t  hear or he is not interested in your situation or your request. The Psalmist wrote that he was certain that he  would see the goodness of the Lord…while he was here on the earth. And then he said to wait  patiently…actually he said twice to just be patient. But to be patient he also said that you and I will need to be 
strong and courageous in our waiting. You may have a dream in your heart. And you’ve brought that dream  before God. Don’t give up. But that patient waiting is going to take strength and courage. Don’t give up on  God. If you will hang in there you will see God building patience into your life and strength and courage into  your character…and finally his fulfillment of your longing in his own and special way. Don’t quit on God and  walk away and miss all that he has for you. The best is still out there for you and me. Here’s our Bible verse  for today…  
Psalms 27:13-14 BSB Still I am certain to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. (14) Wait  patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!