[What, what would have become of me] had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living! Psalms 27:13 AMP
What would have become of me had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living?
What would have become of me had I not believed? I would have lost heart (NKJV); I would have despaired (NASU); I had fainted (KJV), unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. God is good and He has promised us that if we trust Him and obey Him, that He will show us His goodness. Because I believe that I will see the goodness of the Lord, at this time and in this place, I encourage myself in the Lord – I will not lose heart, despair or faint.
God has promised us that He would bless us and take care of us in the land of the living – here in this lifetime. I believe that I will see His goodness – here and now – because I believe the promises in His Word. I believe (RSV); I am still confident of this (NIV); I am expecting the Lord to rescue me again (TLB), so that once again I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! I will see God’s goodness because I believe in Him and His word! His word is true, but it is only true to me if I will believe it.
I cannot afford to give up, to look at the dark side of life, to be depressed, or to be discouraged. I must keep my hopes up, keep the faith, trust in His word, and keep my eyes on Jesus! My believing brings the promise to me that He has already promised. If I refuse to believe the promise, then I will give up hope and I will be lost – I will never see His goodness.
King David knew the promises of God and He trusted His word. That is why he was successful when all the odds were against him. That is why he lived a long, prosperous life – because he believed that God would take care of him. He also knew that if he doubted God’s word that he would have been lost. He knew that God was his source and supply and he leaned totally over on God allowing God to be God in his life.
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? 2 When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, in this I will be confident. 4 One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: 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 inquire in His temple. 5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.” 9 Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. 10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me. 11 Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. 12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breathe out violence.
13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD! Psalms 27:1-14 NKJV
When your life hangs in the balance – will you believe in God’s goodness and allow Him to be strong on your behalf – or will you doubt Him and lose what little you have? You know what the right answer is! Be strong and of good courage, wait on the Lord and expect Him to keep His word.
