Psalm 27: My Takeaway
I spent the month of September reading PSALM 27 over and over. This is just my take-away from the Psalm and what I believe we can take away from it.
During v. 1-6 things were going good for David.
ONE THING 1-6 tells us is God is on our side, He helped before and He will help now. He is a miracle-working God and we have nothing to fear.
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid.
My light—HE'S MY DIRECTION, MY GUIDE, HE LEADS ME, HE SHOWS ME WHAT TO DO,
HE'S THE STRENGTH OF MY LIFE (HIDING PLACE), HE SHIELDS ME, HE CONTINUALLY WALKS WITH ME,
HE’S IN IT WITH US NOT JUST ON THE SIDELINES.
“Strength of my life” DAVID WAS A WARRIOR, HE WAS A STRONG GUY AND YET HE LOOKED TO THE LORD FOR HIS STRENGTH. WE SHOULD MOST CERTAINLY DO THE SAME.
TO TRULY HAVE GOD AS THE STRENGTH OF OUR LIFE IS TO COMPLETELY TRUST HIM IN ALL AREAS AND NOT TAKE MATTERS INTO OUR OWN HANDS, NOT WORRY, NOT FRET.
ESPECIALLY in our areas of strength, those places we feel sufficient! It's easy to take over and leave God out when we feel we've "got it."
WHERE DOES OUR TRUST LIE? THAT’S WHERE/WHOM WE DRAW OUR STRENGTH FROM!
(2) When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell.
MAYBE HE’S RECOLLECTING HIS TIME OF CONTENTION WITH GOLIATH HERE. THE BIG FALL AFTER THE THREAT OF FEEDING DAVID TO THE ANIMALS.
GOD HAD PROVEN HIMSELF TO DAVID OVER AGAIN AND AGAIN. AS HE HAS REALLY WITH ALL OF US IF WE TAKE A MOMENT AND LOOK BACK.
(3) Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident.
FEAR NOT! NOTHING IS BEYOND GOD—NOTHING. WHEN WE WALK IN FEAR WE ARE IN ESSENCE DISTANCING OURSELVES FROM GOD. FEAR NOT!!
IN THIS?? IN THAT THE LORD IS MY LIGHT AND MY STRENGTH, THIS IS WHAT I WILL BE CONFIDENT IN!
(4) One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.
This one should challenge all of us.
THIS RIGHT HERE HAS SO SO MUCH IN IT!!!
IS THIS THE ONE THING WE WANT?
REALLY IF GOD SAID—WHAT DO YOU WANT, ONE THING, ANYTHING NAME IT AND IT’S YOURS? WHAT WOULD YOUR RESPONSE GENUINELY BE, WOULD YOU RESPOND “YOU LORD?”
WHAT COMES TO MIND WHEN PEOPLE ASK WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU WANT MOST? WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE?
IS IT TO BEHOLD THE BEAUTY OF GOD/FEEL HIS PRESENCE?
IS IT YOUR HEALTH?
IS IT FINANCIAL SECURITY?
IS IT FAMILY SALVATION?
IS IT THE GIFT-GIVER or THE GIFTS?
SOME TOUGH QUESTIONS FOR US TO HONESTLY ANSWER!
V.4 IS A BIGGEE....IS JUST HIS PRESENCE ENOUGH FOR US OR DO WE EXPECT HIS PERFORMANCE? ARE WE FRUSTRATED WHEN GOD IS NOT DOING WHAT WE THIBNK HE SHOULD BE DOING?
DAVID WANTED TO “INQUIRE” OF THE LORD, HE WANTED TO KNOW MORE AND MORE OF THE LORD, MORE OF HIS WAYS, MORE OF HIS PLANS AND PURPOSES.
AS WE GET TO KNOW GOD WE SIMPLY WANT TO KNOW MORE OF GOD.
AGAIN, PONDER THIS, IF YOU HAD ONE WISH, WOULD THIS BE IT?
Would it be...That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.
(5) For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.
HE WILL COVER ME, PROTECT ME, BECAUSE I DESIRE HIM, IN THE MIDST OF MY TROUBLES MY GOD WHO I ONLY DESIRE TO KNOW BETTER WILL BE WITH ME IN EACH STEP.
(6) And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
“My Enemies” really is anything you struggle with, anything that is an obstacle to your relationship/your intimacy with God—anything trying to take that place is an "enemy all around you!" The best battle weapon we have when we’re facing a struggle whether from the outside or the inside is to get into worship, to sing unto the Lord a new song!
Shifting to v. 1-7, things get difficult for David, life is difficult. Faith is being tested. David thinks God has forgotten him because God is not moving for him in the ways He previously has. He begs God not to forget him!
REALLY THIS WHOLE PSALM IS A PRAYER.
A THANKFULNESS AND A CRYING OUT.
RE-PHRASE THIS AS A PERSONAL PRAYER FPO YOUR ON TO THE LORD.
THESE NEXT VERSES SHOW US THAT WE ALL STRUGGLE.
AS MUCH AS DAVID LOVED THE LORD, RELIED ON THE LORD AND SOUGHT THE PRESENCE OF GOD HE STILL HAD MOMENTS AND SO WILL WE!!
(7) Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
HE FEELS LIKE GOD ISN’T EVEN LISTENING TO HIM HERE…
EVER FEEL THIS WAY?
HE’S BEGGING GOD TO HEAR HIS VOICE AND SHOW MERCY UPON HIM WITH AN ANSWER.
I WOULD GO SO FAR AS TO SAY DAVID IS A BIT ANXIOUS HERE.
HE’S SCREAMING “HELP, CAN’T YOU HEAR ME, WHY AREN’T YOU DOING ANYTHING?”
(8) When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.”
What do you do when you feel that tug from the Holy Spirit to come away and spend some time with the Lord, to read His word, to worship Him. When that tug is there how do you respond?
Do you say “yes, Lord, I’ll set some time for you.”
OR
Do you reach for something that feeds that tug, that emptiness, that numbing, that churning inside you that needs to be filled?
HE’S REMINDING GOD HERE THAT WHEN GOD DREW DAVID INTO HIS PRESENCE, DAVID RESPONDED BY SEEKING GOD’S PRESENCE, HE FEELS LIKE GOD IS NOW HIDING AND HE’S LETTING HIM KNOW “I’VE LOOKED FOR YOUR FACE GOD, WHERE ARE YOU?”
There’s nothing wrong with calling out to God and letting Him know your heart, your actions, and your motives.
(9) Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.
YOU HAVE NOT LET ME DOWN YET, I KNOW YOU’RE NOT ABOUT TO START!
HE’S REMINDING GOD (LIKE GOD FORGOT) YOU’VE HELPED ME BEFORE, HELP ME NOW.
(10) When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the LORD will take care of me.
HE’S LETTING GOD KNOW, CLOSER THAN ANY FAMILY TIE, ANY HUMAN BOND, EVEN THAT OF A PARENT, GOD’S LOVE AND BOND GOES BEYOND THAT AND DAVID KNOWS THAT. HE DOESN’T THINK OR IS HE SAYING MY PARENTS ABANDONED ME BUT EVEN IF THEY DID I KNOW YOU WOULD TAKE CARE OF ME.
HE DOESN’T USE FRIEND HERE OR EVEN SPOUSE BUT PARENT AS AN EQUIVALENT COMPARISON TO GOD BECAUSE A PARENT IS SUPPOSED TO BY NATURE PROVIDE ACCEPTANCE, GUIDANCE, AN EAR, AND PROTECTION, EVEN COVERING AND SHIELDING. SIMILAR, OF COURSE, TO GOD.
(11) Teach me Your way, O LORD, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
A SIMPLE CRY THAT WE SHOULD ALL MAKE DAILY! TEACH ME YOUR WAY, LEAD ME IN A SMOOTH PATH, DON’T LET THE HATERS DISTRACT ME!
DAVID DID NOT WANT TO LIVE HIS WAY, HE KNEW FROM EXPERIENCE THAT DIDN’T GO WELL FOR HIM, HE KNEW THAT THE ONLY WAY IT COULD WORK FOR HIM WAS TO BE LED DOWN THE SMOOTH PAY BY GOD.
HE’S NOT ASKING FOR AN EASY PATH BUT MORE SO (SMOOTH—A PATH OF CLEAR DIRECTION.)
BEING THE RIGHT PATH, THE PLACE OF SECURE STANDING IN GOD, THE PATH HE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ON, EVEN IF NOT EASY—CAN BE SMOOTH. (STABLE AND SECURE)
“BECAUSE OF MY ENEMIES” THE PITFALLS AND STUMBLING BLOCKS OF WRONG PATHS WALKED, WRONG RELATIONSHIPS ESTABLISHED, THE “SMOOTH” PATH AVOIDS THESE STUMBLING BLOCKS, THESE PITFALLS, THESE ENEMIES.
(12) Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence.
DON’T LET THEM WIN, DON’T LET WHAT THEIR TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH OVERTAKE MY LIFE, MY DESTINY…don't let my own fleshly desires overtake me.
How do we do this as we’re seeking God’s intervention, we keep our hands clean, our hearts pure, we do not react, we do not counterattack, we enter God's presence through worship and the word and wait on God to move.
It says “false” witnesses so obviously it’s lies being spoken. Ever have that and want to respond, want to correct, want to set the record straight? DON’T DO IT!!!
“Breathe out violence” those bent on destroying your reputation through their words, through their “talk.” Trying to battle you and your advancement with straight up lies.
(13) I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.
DAVID IS ENCOURAGING HIMSELF AND TESTIFYING TO OTHERS HERE THAT IF HE HAD NOT SOUGHT AFTER GOD 100%, IF GOD’S FACE WAS NOT HIS TOP PRIORITY, IF GOD’S PRESENCE WASN’T VITAL TO HIM, IF HE DID NOT INQUIRE OF THE LORD (ALL AS V. 4 SAYS) IF ALL OF THIS HAD NOT BEEN A PRIORITY TO HIM HE WOULD NOT HAVE MADE IT, HE WOULD HAVE YIELDED TO HIS ENEMIES AND HIS OWN DESIRES.
HE REMINDED HIMSELF HOW GOOD GOD WAS, HOW FAITHFUL GOD WAS AND THAT GOD’S GOODNESS WOULD PREVAIL AND THIS IS WHAT HELD HIM IN THE MIDST OF HIS STORM. THIS IS WHAT KEPT HIS FAITH FROM WAVERING TO THE POINT OF FAINTING. TO THE POINT OF GIVING UP.
(14) Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!”
NOW, NOW HE ENCOURAGES OTHERS THAT IT WILL ALL BE WORTH IT.
GOD IS SO FAITHFUL—JUST HOLD ON!
BE FIXED, BE TRUSTING, REMAIN FOCUSED ON GOD’S TRUTH IN THE MIDDLE OF ANYTHING THAT IS COMING AGAINST YOU.
WAIT ON GOD, SEEK GOD, TAKE COURAGE IN GOD, IF YOU DO, I PROMISE YOU THAT YOU WILL BE STRENGTHENED.
THERE IS A STRENGTH WAITING FOR THOSE WHO SEEK AND TRUST...
SEEK AND TRUST=STRENGTH
NOTICE HE SAYS WAIT 2X HERE, “WAIT ON THE LORD...WAIT, I SAY,”
THIS IS NOT PUT YOUR FEET UP, DRINK YOUR COFFEE AND JUST WAIT…
NO, NO, NO, IT’S V. 4 ALL OVER AGAIN…it’s desiring the LORD, it’s seeking His presence above all else. It’s to remain in awe even if God seems absent, it’s to inquire the desire of the Lord for you in that moment and remain in that place.
HE POURS STRENGTH INTO US AS WE ARE SEEKING HIM AND WAITING ON HIM.
OUR WAITING HAS ACTION TO IT (KIND OF A CONTRADICTION BUT…)
OUR WAITING IS IS SEEKING HIM AND HAVING AN EXPECTATION OF STRENGTH BEING POURED INTO US AS WE DO SO!
WE WAIT AND SEEK WITH EXPECTATION THAT STRENGTH IS PRESENT.
FOR EXAMPLE, WE GO TO A RESTAURANT, WE DON’T JUST WAIT FOR FOOD, WE PUT IN OUR REQUEST THEN WE EXPECTEDLY WAIT FOR NOTHING LESS THAN WHAT WE ORDERED—AND WE EXPECT IT TO BE GOOD.
MY TAKE AWAYS…
During v. 1-6 things were going good for David.
ONE THING 1-6 tells us is God is on our side, He helped before and He will help now. He is a miracle-working God and we have nothing to fear.
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid.
My light—HE'S MY DIRECTION, MY GUIDE, HE LEADS ME, HE SHOWS ME WHAT TO DO,
HE'S THE STRENGTH OF MY LIFE (HIDING PLACE), HE SHIELDS ME, HE CONTINUALLY WALKS WITH ME,
HE’S IN IT WITH US NOT JUST ON THE SIDELINES.
“Strength of my life” DAVID WAS A WARRIOR, HE WAS A STRONG GUY AND YET HE LOOKED TO THE LORD FOR HIS STRENGTH. WE SHOULD MOST CERTAINLY DO THE SAME.
TO TRULY HAVE GOD AS THE STRENGTH OF OUR LIFE IS TO COMPLETELY TRUST HIM IN ALL AREAS AND NOT TAKE MATTERS INTO OUR OWN HANDS, NOT WORRY, NOT FRET.
ESPECIALLY in our areas of strength, those places we feel sufficient! It's easy to take over and leave God out when we feel we've "got it."
WHERE DOES OUR TRUST LIE? THAT’S WHERE/WHOM WE DRAW OUR STRENGTH FROM!
(2) When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell.
MAYBE HE’S RECOLLECTING HIS TIME OF CONTENTION WITH GOLIATH HERE. THE BIG FALL AFTER THE THREAT OF FEEDING DAVID TO THE ANIMALS.
GOD HAD PROVEN HIMSELF TO DAVID OVER AGAIN AND AGAIN. AS HE HAS REALLY WITH ALL OF US IF WE TAKE A MOMENT AND LOOK BACK.
(3) Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident.
FEAR NOT! NOTHING IS BEYOND GOD—NOTHING. WHEN WE WALK IN FEAR WE ARE IN ESSENCE DISTANCING OURSELVES FROM GOD. FEAR NOT!!
IN THIS?? IN THAT THE LORD IS MY LIGHT AND MY STRENGTH, THIS IS WHAT I WILL BE CONFIDENT IN!
(4) One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.
This one should challenge all of us.
THIS RIGHT HERE HAS SO SO MUCH IN IT!!!
IS THIS THE ONE THING WE WANT?
REALLY IF GOD SAID—WHAT DO YOU WANT, ONE THING, ANYTHING NAME IT AND IT’S YOURS? WHAT WOULD YOUR RESPONSE GENUINELY BE, WOULD YOU RESPOND “YOU LORD?”
WHAT COMES TO MIND WHEN PEOPLE ASK WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU WANT MOST? WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE?
IS IT TO BEHOLD THE BEAUTY OF GOD/FEEL HIS PRESENCE?
IS IT YOUR HEALTH?
IS IT FINANCIAL SECURITY?
IS IT FAMILY SALVATION?
IS IT THE GIFT-GIVER or THE GIFTS?
SOME TOUGH QUESTIONS FOR US TO HONESTLY ANSWER!
V.4 IS A BIGGEE....IS JUST HIS PRESENCE ENOUGH FOR US OR DO WE EXPECT HIS PERFORMANCE? ARE WE FRUSTRATED WHEN GOD IS NOT DOING WHAT WE THIBNK HE SHOULD BE DOING?
DAVID WANTED TO “INQUIRE” OF THE LORD, HE WANTED TO KNOW MORE AND MORE OF THE LORD, MORE OF HIS WAYS, MORE OF HIS PLANS AND PURPOSES.
AS WE GET TO KNOW GOD WE SIMPLY WANT TO KNOW MORE OF GOD.
AGAIN, PONDER THIS, IF YOU HAD ONE WISH, WOULD THIS BE IT?
Would it be...That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.
(5) For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.
HE WILL COVER ME, PROTECT ME, BECAUSE I DESIRE HIM, IN THE MIDST OF MY TROUBLES MY GOD WHO I ONLY DESIRE TO KNOW BETTER WILL BE WITH ME IN EACH STEP.
(6) And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
“My Enemies” really is anything you struggle with, anything that is an obstacle to your relationship/your intimacy with God—anything trying to take that place is an "enemy all around you!" The best battle weapon we have when we’re facing a struggle whether from the outside or the inside is to get into worship, to sing unto the Lord a new song!
Shifting to v. 1-7, things get difficult for David, life is difficult. Faith is being tested. David thinks God has forgotten him because God is not moving for him in the ways He previously has. He begs God not to forget him!
REALLY THIS WHOLE PSALM IS A PRAYER.
A THANKFULNESS AND A CRYING OUT.
RE-PHRASE THIS AS A PERSONAL PRAYER FPO YOUR ON TO THE LORD.
THESE NEXT VERSES SHOW US THAT WE ALL STRUGGLE.
AS MUCH AS DAVID LOVED THE LORD, RELIED ON THE LORD AND SOUGHT THE PRESENCE OF GOD HE STILL HAD MOMENTS AND SO WILL WE!!
(7) Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
HE FEELS LIKE GOD ISN’T EVEN LISTENING TO HIM HERE…
EVER FEEL THIS WAY?
HE’S BEGGING GOD TO HEAR HIS VOICE AND SHOW MERCY UPON HIM WITH AN ANSWER.
I WOULD GO SO FAR AS TO SAY DAVID IS A BIT ANXIOUS HERE.
HE’S SCREAMING “HELP, CAN’T YOU HEAR ME, WHY AREN’T YOU DOING ANYTHING?”
(8) When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.”
What do you do when you feel that tug from the Holy Spirit to come away and spend some time with the Lord, to read His word, to worship Him. When that tug is there how do you respond?
Do you say “yes, Lord, I’ll set some time for you.”
OR
Do you reach for something that feeds that tug, that emptiness, that numbing, that churning inside you that needs to be filled?
HE’S REMINDING GOD HERE THAT WHEN GOD DREW DAVID INTO HIS PRESENCE, DAVID RESPONDED BY SEEKING GOD’S PRESENCE, HE FEELS LIKE GOD IS NOW HIDING AND HE’S LETTING HIM KNOW “I’VE LOOKED FOR YOUR FACE GOD, WHERE ARE YOU?”
There’s nothing wrong with calling out to God and letting Him know your heart, your actions, and your motives.
(9) Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.
YOU HAVE NOT LET ME DOWN YET, I KNOW YOU’RE NOT ABOUT TO START!
HE’S REMINDING GOD (LIKE GOD FORGOT) YOU’VE HELPED ME BEFORE, HELP ME NOW.
(10) When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the LORD will take care of me.
HE’S LETTING GOD KNOW, CLOSER THAN ANY FAMILY TIE, ANY HUMAN BOND, EVEN THAT OF A PARENT, GOD’S LOVE AND BOND GOES BEYOND THAT AND DAVID KNOWS THAT. HE DOESN’T THINK OR IS HE SAYING MY PARENTS ABANDONED ME BUT EVEN IF THEY DID I KNOW YOU WOULD TAKE CARE OF ME.
HE DOESN’T USE FRIEND HERE OR EVEN SPOUSE BUT PARENT AS AN EQUIVALENT COMPARISON TO GOD BECAUSE A PARENT IS SUPPOSED TO BY NATURE PROVIDE ACCEPTANCE, GUIDANCE, AN EAR, AND PROTECTION, EVEN COVERING AND SHIELDING. SIMILAR, OF COURSE, TO GOD.
(11) Teach me Your way, O LORD, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
A SIMPLE CRY THAT WE SHOULD ALL MAKE DAILY! TEACH ME YOUR WAY, LEAD ME IN A SMOOTH PATH, DON’T LET THE HATERS DISTRACT ME!
DAVID DID NOT WANT TO LIVE HIS WAY, HE KNEW FROM EXPERIENCE THAT DIDN’T GO WELL FOR HIM, HE KNEW THAT THE ONLY WAY IT COULD WORK FOR HIM WAS TO BE LED DOWN THE SMOOTH PAY BY GOD.
HE’S NOT ASKING FOR AN EASY PATH BUT MORE SO (SMOOTH—A PATH OF CLEAR DIRECTION.)
BEING THE RIGHT PATH, THE PLACE OF SECURE STANDING IN GOD, THE PATH HE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ON, EVEN IF NOT EASY—CAN BE SMOOTH. (STABLE AND SECURE)
“BECAUSE OF MY ENEMIES” THE PITFALLS AND STUMBLING BLOCKS OF WRONG PATHS WALKED, WRONG RELATIONSHIPS ESTABLISHED, THE “SMOOTH” PATH AVOIDS THESE STUMBLING BLOCKS, THESE PITFALLS, THESE ENEMIES.
(12) Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence.
DON’T LET THEM WIN, DON’T LET WHAT THEIR TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH OVERTAKE MY LIFE, MY DESTINY…don't let my own fleshly desires overtake me.
How do we do this as we’re seeking God’s intervention, we keep our hands clean, our hearts pure, we do not react, we do not counterattack, we enter God's presence through worship and the word and wait on God to move.
It says “false” witnesses so obviously it’s lies being spoken. Ever have that and want to respond, want to correct, want to set the record straight? DON’T DO IT!!!
“Breathe out violence” those bent on destroying your reputation through their words, through their “talk.” Trying to battle you and your advancement with straight up lies.
(13) I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.
DAVID IS ENCOURAGING HIMSELF AND TESTIFYING TO OTHERS HERE THAT IF HE HAD NOT SOUGHT AFTER GOD 100%, IF GOD’S FACE WAS NOT HIS TOP PRIORITY, IF GOD’S PRESENCE WASN’T VITAL TO HIM, IF HE DID NOT INQUIRE OF THE LORD (ALL AS V. 4 SAYS) IF ALL OF THIS HAD NOT BEEN A PRIORITY TO HIM HE WOULD NOT HAVE MADE IT, HE WOULD HAVE YIELDED TO HIS ENEMIES AND HIS OWN DESIRES.
HE REMINDED HIMSELF HOW GOOD GOD WAS, HOW FAITHFUL GOD WAS AND THAT GOD’S GOODNESS WOULD PREVAIL AND THIS IS WHAT HELD HIM IN THE MIDST OF HIS STORM. THIS IS WHAT KEPT HIS FAITH FROM WAVERING TO THE POINT OF FAINTING. TO THE POINT OF GIVING UP.
(14) Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!”
NOW, NOW HE ENCOURAGES OTHERS THAT IT WILL ALL BE WORTH IT.
GOD IS SO FAITHFUL—JUST HOLD ON!
BE FIXED, BE TRUSTING, REMAIN FOCUSED ON GOD’S TRUTH IN THE MIDDLE OF ANYTHING THAT IS COMING AGAINST YOU.
WAIT ON GOD, SEEK GOD, TAKE COURAGE IN GOD, IF YOU DO, I PROMISE YOU THAT YOU WILL BE STRENGTHENED.
THERE IS A STRENGTH WAITING FOR THOSE WHO SEEK AND TRUST...
SEEK AND TRUST=STRENGTH
NOTICE HE SAYS WAIT 2X HERE, “WAIT ON THE LORD...WAIT, I SAY,”
THIS IS NOT PUT YOUR FEET UP, DRINK YOUR COFFEE AND JUST WAIT…
NO, NO, NO, IT’S V. 4 ALL OVER AGAIN…it’s desiring the LORD, it’s seeking His presence above all else. It’s to remain in awe even if God seems absent, it’s to inquire the desire of the Lord for you in that moment and remain in that place.
HE POURS STRENGTH INTO US AS WE ARE SEEKING HIM AND WAITING ON HIM.
OUR WAITING HAS ACTION TO IT (KIND OF A CONTRADICTION BUT…)
OUR WAITING IS IS SEEKING HIM AND HAVING AN EXPECTATION OF STRENGTH BEING POURED INTO US AS WE DO SO!
WE WAIT AND SEEK WITH EXPECTATION THAT STRENGTH IS PRESENT.
FOR EXAMPLE, WE GO TO A RESTAURANT, WE DON’T JUST WAIT FOR FOOD, WE PUT IN OUR REQUEST THEN WE EXPECTEDLY WAIT FOR NOTHING LESS THAN WHAT WE ORDERED—AND WE EXPECT IT TO BE GOOD.
MY TAKE AWAYS…
- DO NOT FEAR—GOD IS ALWAYS WITH US
- GOD IS A STRONG SHELTER
- GOD WILL GROW OUR PATIENCE, FAITH AND HOPE
- OUR GREATEST DESIRE SHOULD BE HIM
- WE SHOULD ALWAYS FIND OUT WHAT GOD HAS TO SAY
- HE IS OUR SOURCE OF HOPE
- BELIEVE GOD WILL DO WHAT HE SAID HE WILL DO
- WAIT WITH ACTION
Comments
Post a Comment