Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foot hold.

Psalm 73:1-2 NIV

  I lost it yesterday. What’s the use anyway? All the encouragement and all the “good words” about God I had lent to others in their times of trouble seemed to fall flat when applied to my own anguish. Wondering where God was, why HE was letting this situation continue and why He wasn’t doing what He said he could do, were questions rumbling around in my head. “WHO KNOWS?!” seemed to be the only answer. My once firm footing based on God’s promises seemed to be crumbling beneath me and I could feel myself stumbling. My soul seemed to replay one verse over and over –

I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13

In my mind it was more like a scream. I DEMAND TO SEE THE GOODNESS IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING. . .NOW! But this goodness had not made itself visible. Turmoil and heartache were in its place taking all my attention. It wasn’t until I took time to actually look at the verse in context with the rest of the Psalm that my wobbly legs began to find their balance again.

“The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid?” are the opening words to this passage. The word stronghold means defense or strength. Defense itself means to take action against attack or challenge while strength has the idea of endurance and an impenetrable structure. Together we get the picture of a God, who is the stronghold of lives. He has everything it takes to keep the enemy at bay— Strength, endurance and protection.

The rest of the Psalm repeats the idea of the Lord’s provision of keeping us safe in his dwelling, hiding us in his sacred tent and setting us high upon a rock out of harm’s way. It says, then, we will rise above our circumstances. The very picture of victory! I don’t know how this current situation in my life will play out. I do know that whatever the Lord has planned “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness in the land of the living.”

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord because. . .

Psalm 27:14

He will not let your foot slip. . .

Psalm 121:3

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100:5