“I Believe That God Will Act”

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

BIBLE READING: Psalm 27

“I am certain that I will see the LORD’s goodness in the land of the living.” (Psalm 27.13, CSB)

Affirmations are powerful tools. Your actions will always follow your thoughts, your beliefs and ideas. We often digress into depression, anxiety and failure because we have not reminded ourselves of what is sure. The affirmations of Psalm 27 empower us to confidently engage the enemy with courage

King David was keenly aware of his own insufficiency. Without the LORD he has no light, salvation or stronghold that will protect him with certainty. This is a pattern we often seen in the psalms: human insufficiency and injustice highlight the futility of trying to affect change. 

David understood he was incapable of affecting change with certainty. He could wield his power, but when faced with a daunting foe the outcome was bleak. Considering the power and position of king David only magnifies the humility of his plea and the sovereignty of God. 

And yet, David believes that God will act. He bookends his thoughts with confident affirmations because he trusts in the nature of God. He will see fulfillment with God. He will not live with fear and anxiety always. He believes that God’s goodness will ultimately prevail.

When faced with uncertainty, the most powerful thing we can do is affirm what we know about God. God is not bound by the limitations of time and chance. When he acts, he is always successful. God is the help and hope of the righteous and there will be justice for them against the evildoers. 

It is important to see that David’s affirmations do not exclude self-awareness or action. Instead they promote greater introspection and deeper trust. Just as he was certain of God’s nature, he purposed in his heart to pursue God’s ways (Psalm 27.11) He will seek God’s favor and his face (27.4, 8). He will praise God in his hour of trouble (27.6). 

Our minds are designed to overpower our carnal weaknesses and allow us to do more than we think possible. This is how you see sports figures overcome enormous odds to accomplish amazing feats. But we must take our thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10.5) and engage them with God’s word if we will overcome the unseen challenges that plague our souls.

Affirmations of God’s power will not always lead to immediate positive results, but it will train us towards endurance. Notice the Psalm ends with an encouragement to wait on the Lord (27.14). As we learn patience, we develop confidence in God’s timing that produces hope. This is what God is trying to develop in us (Hebrews 6.19; 10.36). Our strength and courage come from his stability and victory. Do you believe that God will win?

Don’t just think it… Affirm it, believe it and live it.

“The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of who shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27.1b)

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