The LORD is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident . . . For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. Hear my voice when I call O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me . . . I am still 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: 1-3, 5-7, 13, 14, NIV.
And now dear God, as we come to the close of this week, we say “Thank You” so much for having been with us as we studied Your Word. Please continue to be with us now we pray, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“I am still 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.” Yesterday, we took a detour from the joy and rejoicing and came to a moment of sobriety. We reflected on the fact that even though it feels good to be on the top of the mountain, there is work for us to do in the valley. So we must come to grips with the fact that we will not always be at the top of the mountain, in our Christian experience. Today, having faced that reality, we are now prepared to “press on.”
When we enter the study of verses 7-12, we will get a closer look at the issues under consideration. But based on what we studied yesterday, let us see how David could pull himself out of the dumps and begin to hope again. What was it that allowed him to believe that he would live “to see the goodness of the LORD, in the land of the living.” If we go back to some of the earlier verses we will get an idea. Let me take a moment to share with you, one of my deep spiritual convictions, “We can never minister to others successfully, until we have been ministered to, by the Holy Spirit of God!” How can I inspire you to have confidence in God, if I am not sure that I can trust God? So what was it about David’s experience that would take him from the cry of the soul to a shout of joy, in spite of his circumstances? We will retrace our steps and go back to one of our earlier studies; to be precise, Part 2, published on July 6.
David found strength in the temple – where God is worshipped. It was in the temple that he caught a glimpse of God’s face! In Scripture, believers are also referred to, as “temples” of the living God (1 Corinthians 3: 16; 6: 19), in which the Holy Spirit dwells. This concept is absolutely crucial to what I am about to say. One of my instructors in Theology, Dr. John Webster, from the school of Religion, at La Sierra University, teaches a wonderful truth about “The God Who Comes.” (I made mention of this premise before.). Based on that truth, I have derived the concept that every Christian carries within his or her body temple, a picture of the face of God. When God comes into our life, and becomes a part of our experience, we can never be the same again, as long as we remain in the experience. God comes in and dwells with us and we with Him (Revelation 3: 20). Note that it is a two way street! There is a dialogue going on. There is a relationship taking place. A community is being built, that will soon include others. But it must first begin with God and you; with God and me! Therefore, we are constantly beholding Him (2 Corinthians 3: 18) in the relationship! I believe it was that picture of God and His goodness, that gave the psalmist confidence to keep on believing!
Have you ever wondered why some people who, even though they are sick can be such powerful sources of inspiration to others? They are unable to go to the physical temple – the building. But it is in the temple of the soul that they “gaze upon the beauty of the LORD, and . . . seek Him in His temple” (4, emphasis provided). It is what is going on within them day by day, in the temple of their souls, from which they draw strength for themselves, and all who come in contact with them. They are always beholding His face, and therefore, they can be “confident of this: [that they] will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” And so can you!