“I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the “goodness of the LORD In the Land of the living.”-(Psalm 27:13)

Hope this will encourage you; I was thinking about this verse. The Psalmist knew if left to himself he would have despaired – lost heart. He did not stop there but trusted, in the GOODNESS of the LORD and believed based on His character “…BELIEVED to SEE the Goodness of the LORD in the land of the Living!” So often we want to “SEE” first and then “BELIEVE” but in God’s Kingdom, it is faith before sight!-{2 Cor 5:7}. When Lazarus died Martha said to Jesus if he had only been there He could have prevented him from dying, “Jesus *said to her,  “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, *said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Did I not say to you that if you BELIEVE, you will SEE the glory of God?” -{John 11:39-40}. Do you see the order? Believe then see. Believe. Entrust… persuaded by, and convinced in Him and what He says!

What Could Tempt him to despair- to lose heart?

He spoke of the potential of Fear to attack and derail him-{v1}; Foes -{v2}; Troubles- {v5}; Enemies -{v6}, Oppressors; {v11}; Adversaries-{v12}; False Witnesses-{v12};

All these were enough to tempt him to despair to lose heart, as they would you and me. He didn’t deny them but he chose to change his FOCUS and FIXED on the character of God… and his Goodness…like him, we too must choose what and WHO we will focus on and must choose to “…BELIEVE TO SEE the Goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!” 

Pause and start to Think about the LORD. His character and Then think on His Goodness. How He has shown it in Scripture and 5 ways He has shown His Goodness specifically to you- and Thank Him!

Some verses on The Goodness of God to look up and use as “Fuel” for your faith and Praise! As you place yourself before His Word, the Holy Spirit can strengthen your faith, encourage your heart and help and equip you to encourage… others’ faith!

What do these verses Teach about The LORD and His Goodness?

Read Psalm 23:6; Ps 119:65; Ps 119:68; Ps 119:77; James 1:17; Ps 107:1; Matthew 7:11; Rom 8:28-29; Ps 17:13. Consider writing these verses out in The back of your Bible  or somewhere prominent so you can show someone to encourage and remind them of God’s goodness and strengthen their faith

God bless, “Oh Give Thanks to the LORD for He is Good!”-{Psalm 107:1}

Aidan,

Psalm 27:13