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"I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!"

~ Psalm 27:13

 

How refreshing was this psalm to my soul this week!  I wanted to read it over and over and have it wash over me.  I was drawn to make an impulsive commitment to read it every day for the rest of my life because of its encouraging truth (but I made no such rash oath).  How apt a description of daily life and very human existence.  How accurate the remedy for all the ails and travails of fallen human existence.  How wonderful the consistency and cohesiveness of God’s Word from start to finish! 

We will soon see in our study of the book of Genesis that we as humans are made in the image of God.  At least part of what this means is that we have the capacity for personal relationship.  This pertains ultimately to our relationship with God, but also pertains to our relation to one another as humans.  And part of the relating to one another is our common human experience.  How well does David here express the recesses of the human heart and experience…of my heart and experience.  There is a kinship, connection and comfort in the brotherhood of the people of God.  Not only can we see here how the Holy Spirt directed David to turn in proper response, but we can look to the words of our Savior himself and to his words through the apostle Paul to be exhorted in not being anxious and fearful but instead rejoicing always and seeking the kingdom of God and his righteousness. 

David responds to his fear (v.1,3), adversity (v.2,3,6,12), trouble (v.5), and rejection (v.10) with truth, a right heart and with waiting.  The truth is the reality of his Savior God and his salvation (v.1,5-7).  His right heart is to seek the face of the LORD (v.8-9) and desire to dwell with the LORD forever (v.4,13).  His waiting is joyful (v.6), instructive (v.11), confident (v.13) and courageous (v.14).

In looking to the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:25-34 and Luke 12:22-34 we see continued exhortations and even imperatives (commands) to not be anxious and instead know the truth of the love of God our Father, trust the loving care and provision of God our Father, and seek after his kingdom and his righteousness.  In so doing, all of the things that we are prone to let trouble our hearts will be taken care of.  God will provide the things that we need.  The difficulty for me is to appropriately learn and remember what my actual needs really are.

In looking to our Savior’s words as penned through the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:4-9, we again see a focus on rejoicing, on not being anxious for anything, but instead to prayer, gratitude and a seeking after the kingdom, which is the epitome of truth, honor, justice, purity, loveliness, and all that is commendable, morally excellent and praiseworthy.

Take time to meditate and reflect on these 4 passages in their entirety, or at minimum focus on Psalm 27:4, Matthew 6:32-34, Luke 12:29-32 and Philippians 4:8.  Perhaps write them out together on a page and read them through repeatedly.  Examine your heart and pray to God your Father, the Savior of your soul.  Be instructed by his Word and wait in joy and confidence and courage.

May your head be lifted up (v.6) and may you take part in the lifting of the heads of your brothers and sisters as well!