Psalm 27:13-14 I would have despaired unless I had believed I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord, be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord.
What does despair really mean anyway? The dictionary defines despair as losing all hope. Have you ever been there? Does that describe how you are feeling today? If so, I believe that it is by no accident that YOU are reading this right now! David declares in the above Psalm that he would have been in the same place you have found yourself in (without hope) had he not BELIEVED that he would see the goodness of the Lord this side of Heaven. He made a choice to believe that He would see God’s goodness even though His circumstances did not change right away. Believing meant he had to wait on God. I know we do not like to wait. ever. But believing followed by waiting is key. I believe that our God super-naturally and graciously imparts to us just what we need to push through and push forward when we choose to believe.
Believe + wait = strength + courage + hope + peace + trust + Joy
Though, at the moment, you may not be able to see anything “good” IN your circumstances, we know that God IS good and because God is good, His goodness CAN be experienced in the midst of our darkest moments, in the here and now, no matter what that “now” looks like! As Christ followers, we believe to see not see to believe! SO, look for Him, wait for Him….EXPECT to see His goodness revealed even BEFORE your mess changes. I understand that some of your hopes and dreams may not be alive and well in the land of the living. I get it! Actually, you may be having to grieve the death of some of them, BUT God!! Friend, no matter how painful, hurtful, devastating and unwanted your losses or you mess may be, GOD desires to pour out His goodness upon YOU, His beloved daughter!
Psalm 23 is often quoted at funerals and rightfully so, but I have come to love this scripture in walking through my own valley of the shadow of death. Death of my marriage, death to my dreams and death to what I thought my life was supposed to look like. Despair tried too many times to count to take up residence in my heart and mind. Believing that God was with me and that His Word trumped my feelings and despairing thoughts helped me to rise up from the ashes in the valley and keep walking through the darkness… Sometimes, actually many times, it took the prayers and encouragement of my faithful friends and church family upholding me and pouring God’s love into my broken heart. That, my friend was part of God’s goodness that I was blessed to experience. His goodness is there all the time, we just have to have eyes open to see it!
What about you? What hopes and dreams have you had to grieve over? While the enemy roars defeating accusations to your vulnerable self, God’s Word for you declares that there is reason to HOPE in this valley of death. HE is our shepherd, HE walks with us in the valley and He comforts us. He brings us through to bring us out and when we come out we are never the same. As God’s chosen daughters, His invitation to walk us THROUGH brings transformation and treasures we take with us as He leads us OUT.
Psalm 31:19 says “Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You and worked for those who take refuge in You, in the sight of the children of mankind!” I want to draw your attention to the word ABUNDANT. You could easily exchange that word for plentiful, liberal, bountiful, or even galore. Let me ask you, do you fear God? Are you His child? Do you take refuge in Him? Then this promise is for YOU! God has an abundance of Goodness galore…that is stored up just for you! Stored up means it is ongoing, it will never run out! It is there when you need it! OF course, the devil would like to shout to you otherwise and cause you to lose all hope and stay and live in his prison of despair. Don’t do it! Believe God’s Truth and live in freedom that keeps you free no matter what you are facing! HE is with you my friend, and HE will not fail you, no, not ever! EXPECT to see God’s goodness galore, WAIT for it. Be strong, be courageous, TAKE refuge in GOD and HE will bring you through this valley with goodness and mercy as your faithful companions. Rise up dear sister, and believe that you WILL see God’s goodness in your midst! There are many rising with you!
Blessed is She 