Land of the Living

O. T. #1210  "Land of the Living"
May 14, 2018
Psalms 27:Part 4
I had fainted unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 
Psalms 27:13

LET IT GLOW

Land of the living. Are we living here? Oh sure we are walking and talking and living. But how are we living while we are living? I'm talking about living like zombies, a runner from one activity or responsibility to another without enjoying our time while there. Do we get up in the morning dreading another day of work, or do we enjoy what we are doing? Are we taking time to speak with those we meet along our journey, or even take a few moments to listen to a child, a senior, a hurting friend? Giving a smile and a hug encourages more than a dozen red roses. Are we just existing, living for the weekend or summer or retirement, letting life pass us by? May we find that plain path God has for us, His right path, and really live in the land of the living this week. That is my challenge, too, friend.

What was David asking of the Lord in verses 11-14?

• Teach me Thy way (a course of life, a trodden road, a journey) O LORD.
• Lead me in a plain (come near, to approach, consent, worship) path (a well trodden road); a right path.
• My enemies are waiting for me.
• Don't let me fall into their hands.
• They accuse me of things I have never done.
• With every breath they threaten me with violence.

David is confident that he will see the Lord's goodness while he is in the land of the living. Although he was going through a trial, David was trusting God to see him through it. Remember, goodness is good in the wildest sense. God can bless us beyond all we could desire and think.

Malachi 3:10 says, See if I will not...pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Are we walking on the right path-the one God wants us to be on? Are we enjoying living in the land of the living, today? Have you seen God's goodness lately?

LET IT GROW

Wait on the LORD:
be of good courage,
and He shall strengthen thine heart:
wait, I say, on the LORD.

Waiting can be one of the hardest things we do. Don't we feel better if we are doing something? However, waiting forces us to rely on God. Are you in a waiting mode. Perhaps your years of specific praying have not happened. Maybe a loved one is still living with a disease; financial problems mount up and not resolved, relationships are severed without a hope of mending. Are you hanging by a string?

David waited to be king of Israel while crazy Saul hunted him down to kill David. David tells us to wait, be brave, have courage, wait patiently on the Lord. His willingness to wait resulted in the Messiah coming as his descendant.We know God's timing is best. His way is best. His path is difficult. Through it all, we can enjoy living among the living because we believe that we will see the goodness of the Lord. It will turn out beyond our wildest dream, dear one. Believe.

LET IT GO

Wait, believe, wait on Jesus to work it out.
Stay on the plain path that He has me on.; remain faithful while on it.
Live with joy among the living.
Have courage to endure whatever.
Let Jesus strengthen my heart while waiting.