Psalm 27
Scripture:
Psalm 27:13-14 (NIV)
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Observation:
David, who writes these verses, by now in his life, has seen plenty of turmoil. The turmoil he has experienced could jeopardize his peace, sense of security, and even his future. And yet, he boldly declares that he remains confident that he will see with his own eyes the goodness of God in the world around him. He also encourages all of us to not panic and rush to actions of our own doing, ahead of God, but to “be strong, take heart and wait for the Lord.”
Understanding:
We also encounter plenty of turmoil in our day that threatens our confidence of the present and future. Confidence is not something you choose; confidence is the fruit of experience. David had numerous experiences where God proved Himself in times of uncertainty and turmoil. David could not have successfully “waited on God” if he was not fully convinced by earlier encounters whereby he had experienced God’s faithfulness. He discovered it is a worthwhile decision to “wait on God.” His confidence grew with each encounter.
Life Application:
The question I must ask myself is: “are there decisions I can make that will increase my own confidence as I “wait for the Lord”? The answer is, of course, yes!
I can choose to develop the habit of daily listening to God in His Word and by His Spirit through prayer and worship with an awareness of discerning needed application of His wisdom to my life activities and choices.
I can choose to “walk by faith not by sight”. Someone defined faith as “simply trusting God enough to do what He says.” My choice will be to put His principles, wisdom and guidance into my practice even when human reason, fear and doubt threaten to restrain me.
I can choose to journal my journey of faith as experiences in which I have discovered God’s faithfulness, lest I forget the lessons learned and the interventions of God in time of need.
I can choose to see the big picture of God’s transforming work in me rather than leaning on individual outcomes to measure whether I can confidently trust Him or not. If I don’t do this, I will be tempted to imagine that my own agenda for self includes ease and comfort that might not help in my transformation into His image. I must learn to trust in Him and rely on Him even when it doesn’t make sense in the natural. Why? Because He is faithful, and I am confident that life with Him is far better than life directed and lived by me, for me.
Lord, help me always as your Word encourage, for me to do, “set my eyes on things above, not things below.” With you at the steering wheel of my life, I know, I will see the goodness of God in the land of the living, even in my day. With confidence, I wait on You rather than pushing forward my will and agenda.
Hallelujah for Jesus
-Gary Hebden
Gary Hebden has been a pastor in Open Bible Churches for 45 years; serving as the district director for the Northeast District of the Pacific Region for the last 27 years while pastoring The Intersection Church in Spokane Valley, Washington until retiring from the pastorate in 2020. He loves the Lord, His family, and friends to the very core of his heart and soul. “The wisdom, counsel and encouragement of the Word of God has proven to be irreplaceable in navigating this life. Hallelujah for Jesus!”