Trust. Cling. Rely...On Him

Let's recap what we have learned thus far from Psalm 27:14.

First, we learned that during those inevitable times of waiting in our lives, we are to wait in eager and patient anticipation for what the Lord is going to do in us. We are to wait with great hope because His is our help and our shield.

Next, we learned that in our waiting in eager and patient anticipation of what the Lord is doing and is going to do in our lives, we are...strengthened, supported, encouraged, conquering or seizing something in our lives, repaired, and built upon.

Today, we are going to talk about the concept of courage that the Psalmist David speaks of in Psalm 27:14.

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and

let your heart take courage;

yes, wait for the LORD."
Psalm 27:14, NASB (emphasis added)

Often times in our waiting our hearts can become heavy, burdened, and worried. The Psalmist tell us that we are to take courage.

Courage is a transliteration of the Hebrew word chazaq, which means to be bound fast, to be attached.

In Deuteronomy 31:6-8, Moses is addressing Joshua and all of Israel. He tells them to "be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." The strength and courage of the Israelites came from their confidence in knowing that the LORD would never leave nor forsake them. They were attached to Him and He to them.

"Be strong and let your heart take courage,

all you who hope (wait for) in the LORD."
Psalm 31:24, NASB

Be strong...take courage. Hang with me here, this concept is a very important one for us to grasp. This phrase "be strong...take courage" is a plural imperative. Plural meaning the Psalmist is speaking to all of us; imperative meaning it is a command or a strong encouragement to behave in a certain way. This is a phrase used particularly in anticipation of battle. Those going into battle were strongly encouraged to present themselves as a people who were strong and filled with much courage because they knew to whom they were attached. This is the very idea behind Moses' command to Joshua and all of Israel in Deuteronomy 31:6-8.

We also find this same idea in Psalm 27:14, "be strong...and let your heart take courage." The Psalmist is commanding us to take courage in the One to whom we have attached ourselves, knowing that He will never leave nor forsake His children.

In our times of waiting, as the Lord is strengthening us, supporting us, encouraging us, conquering those fleshly desires in our lives, repairing our brokenness and building upon His plan, ...

~we are to confidently hope in Him knowing that what He is doing in our hearts is preparing us for a battle that is sure to come.

~we are to attach ourselves to Him, allowing Him to clear the way and not trying to do it ourselves.

~we are to trust in Him, not our own selves nor the people around us, knowing that He will never leave nor forsake us.

Have you attached yourself to the Lord God Almighty today or are you hanging onto life by a mere thread? Are you trusting in an All-Powerful God, allowing Him to clear the way before you or are you trying to live life according to your own plan? Are you prepared for battle?

Trust Him. Cling to Him. Rely on Him.