Psalms 27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Read Psalm 27:1 – 14.
David is such an easy person to identify with! Look at the sources of his faintheartedness: wicked people, enemies, war, trouble, loneliness, and being forsaken, false accusations, cruelty. Sound familiar? The solid fact is that any one of these experiences is enough to make you and me want to run away; and when several of them arrive together, they can be devastating. Indeed, David wrote, “I really would have given up had I not believed that God is good.”
A focus like David’s can keep us from collapsing too! Once we have made up our minds that God’s goodness is in operation, we will have far less difficulty in coping with the events of everyday life. Since He is in control, and since He is a good God, we can relax in His care. The Prophet Isaiah said, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee” (Isa. 26:3).
In many a heart there is the lurking suspicion that God really doesn’t want a good life for people, that He is somehow out to punish us and deprive us of enjoyment. This is, of course, the devil’s ancient lie. Satan used it in the Garden of Eden and has not changed his approach since. The truth is, God wants to give good things to His children. Jesus said, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?” (Matt. 7:11)
Small thought here. The way to become convinced of God’s goodness is to spend time with Him. “Wait on the Lord… and He shall strengthen thine heart.” Get alone with God, and you’ll get over your fainting spell!
This devotional was written by Dr. Robert A. Cook. You can subscribe to his free email articles at Walk With The King Today and listen to his Spirit-filled 15-minute messages. Used with written permission.
