I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!  Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

Psalm‬ ‭27‬:‭13-14‬ ESV

Problems have a way of changing our perspective.  

When everything is going “our way”, we are confident and hopeful.  But, when we get “off track”, we are often faced with confusion and hurt.  

We seek God . . . surrender to His will . . . serve others . . . Yet, struggles and suffering seem to surface on every side.

We have an assurance of God’s goodness in eternity, but sometimes wonder where the “goodness of The Lord” is in our everyday.

David began this psalm with encouraging words, “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?” (Ps 27:1 NIV)  David’s faith overshadowed his fear.  God’s presence was outshining the psalmist’s problems.

Priority Of His Presence.  

Seeing God’s hand everyday begins with seeking God’s heart everyday.  David wrote, “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple.” (Ps 27:4 NIV)  Our priorities reflect our passion, our purpose and our perspective.  Jesus reminds us of our needed focus and His never ending faithfulness, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (‭Matt 6‬:‭33‬ NIV)

Patience in His Presence.  

Sometimes our timing is not God’s timing.  I’m not good at “waiting on God” . . . usually, I want it now.  I want to “unpack” when God wants to “unfold”.  Waiting on Him gives us His wisdom.  In another psalm, David encouraged us, “I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.” (‭Ps‬ ‭40‬:‭1-2‬ ESV)

Power In His Presence.  

Patience in His presence produces power.  The prophet Isaiah wrote, “But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (‭Is ‭40‬:‭31‬ NLT)  David said to “be strong”.  In writing to the Christ-followers of Philippi and Corinth, Paul described his own lack of potential and God’s overcoming power, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor 12:10 NLT) and “I can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength.” (Phil 4:13 NLT)

Perseverance In His Presence.  

Patience in His presence produces power and provides perseverance.  David wrote, “let your heart take courage.”  Perseverance is the bulldog tenacity that gets a grip on God’s grace and never lets go.  It’s knowing that you can make it.  Joshua was reminded by God, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (‭Josh‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬ NIV)

Conviction creates confidence.  

Confidence is confirmed in challenges.  

Challenges give us courage.  

Young wrote, “When your path leads to a cliff, be willing to climb it with God’s help. When you come to a resting place, take time to be refreshed in His Presence. Enjoy the rhythm of life lived close to Him.”

Priority.  Patience.  Power.  Perseverance.  

Have confidence today in God’s goodness . . . it really is good.