SIH’s Think On These Things: Psalms 27:14

Psalms 27: [A Psalm] of David. 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?When the wicked, [even] mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this [will] I [be] confident. One [thing] have I desired 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 behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. Hear, O LORD, [when] I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.[When thou saidst], Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. Hide not thy face [far] from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.[I had fainted], unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.  

As we will see in our series, King David addresses many of the same issues that each and every one of us faces when we are in the midst of the most difficult, fearful situations of life. May the Lord honor this study in His Word, by granting to us the truths of this Psalm and their practical application to our life.  

EXPOSITION:  

In our text for today, David concludes his Psalm on dealing with the fearful times of our lives. Keep in mind that, so far, we have seen:  

1. David’s confidence in the Lord (vs 1-3)
2. David’s desire of the Lord (vs 4-5)
3. David’s praise of the Lord (vs 6)
4. David’s request for God’s presence (vs 7-11)
5. David’s request for deliverance from his enemies (vs 12)
6. David’s motivation to persevere in the midst of his difficulties (vs 13)

  Now, in this final section of the Psalm, David reaches out to each one of us with words of encouragement as we, too, face the fearful times of our lives.  

David’s words of encouragement to others…  

Psalms 27:14 “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”  

David encourages us to do two things in times of hardship, opposition, and fear:  

“Wait on the LORD:

First of all, David instructs us to “wait on the Lord”.   The word “wait” comes to us from a Hebrew word that means “to collect hopefully” or “to gather together expectantly”.   The idea David is expressing to us is the need to collect:

1. our needs

2. truths about His person and work

3. His promises to us.  

Then, based upon this “collection”, wait for Him expectantly.  

In other words, when we understand who He is and what He can do for us, then we become aware of His great promises of care, protection and enablement that He gives to us, we can confidently expect our needs to be met.  

 

be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart:

Secondly, David encourages us to “be of good courage”.

This can only be done if we are waiting upon Him.   In other words, because we are expecting the Lord to intervene on our behalf, then we can take control of our fears and put them aside.   There is nothing to fear, He will step in and meet our every need. Perhaps this will be by taking the situation from us, or perhaps, it will be by standing with us in the midst of the trial. In either case, we can boldly face the fearful times, knowing He is with us.  

wait, I say, on the LORD.”

David in summary, emphasizes the need to “Wait on the Lord”    

APPLICATION:  

Folks may we always learn to wait upon the Lord in times of trials. In doing so, we are submitting to His will for our lives, allowing Him to intervene without our interference, and standing boldly against our opposition through His gracious enablement.  

“A Song of degrees. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants [look] unto the hand of their masters, [and] as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes [wait] upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.” (Psalms 123:1-2)

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