I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14(NIV)
As you read through Psalm 27 you will notice it is divided into three sections. First David declares his confidence in who God is and what He will do when his enemies are attacking him. The word for confidence in Psalm 27:3 is the Hebrew word meaning, to attach oneself, to trust, confide in, feel safe, be confident, secure. Throughout Scripture relying on other types of security is strongly contrasted with depending on God alone.
The second part of this psalm turns from declaring his confidence to pleading for God to do what He alone can do: deliver him from his enemies! Even though he is confident God will come through, David openly expresses his vulnerability and need for God to not forsake him in the midst of such a critical circumstance.
Lastly, David closes his psalm with another declaration of confidence. This time he uses a different Hebrew word for confidence, which stresses an enduring trust and belief in God. In Psalm 27:13-14 He gives us some instruction on how to have enduring confidence or trust.
First, David declares his confidence in God’s goodness. He makes a bold statement declaring God’s goodness will win out in the end. Focusing on God’s goodness helps us to endure hard times.
Next he instructs us to wait for the Lord with strength and courage. Courage does not mean lack of fear, but it means facing your fear relying on God’s strength alone.
Lastly, he repeats his instruction to wait for the Lord. To wait means to patiently endure. So whenever you see something repeated in Scripture, it usually means it is very important and more than likely it is difficult. Patient endurance is God-given and is totally unnatural to us humans. That is why God gave us the Holy Spirit who produces in us the fruit of patience.
After the devastation of my first miscarriage I memorized Psalm 27:13-14 as a way to focus on God’s goodness as I longed to become pregnant again. He was faithful to His Word and I did see God’s goodness in the form of a beautiful baby boy born a year later. However, after my son was born I came close to death due to a medical crisis. I spent several days in ICU before I was able to hold him in my arms. As I lay in the hospital bed longing to hold my newborn son, the Lord brought to mind the words of Psalm 27:13-14 and my confidence in God’s goodness grew. In this new season of transition and waiting on God to lead me, Psalm 27:13-14 reminds me again to patiently endure the wait believing that God’s goodness will be seen in the end.
Recently, Take Courage, a song written by Kristene DiMarco has ministered to me and has reminded me again of Psalm 27:13-14, as I have been trusting and waiting on the Lord to lead me in a time of transition.
Slow down, take time
Breath in He said
He’s reveal what’s to come
The thoughts in His mind
Always higher than mine
He’s reveal all to come
Take courage my heart
Stay steadfast my soul
He’s in the waiting
He’s in the waiting
Are you in a time of waiting? Perhaps for a spouse, a child, a job, or even for a new beginning? Focus on God’s goodness, wait with courage, and wait with enduring patience and trust in God alone.
Lord, I am confident that You are good and that you have a plan for good in my future. Help me to wait as I take courage from You and to find your strength in the midst of my waiting. I pray this with confidence in Jesus name, Amen.
Confidently waiting,
Nancy
