Be Strong!

Be Strong!

Be strong and let your hearts take courage, All you who wait for and confidently expect the Lord. Psalms 31:24 AMP

The Context and Focus:

It is interesting to note that the title of this psalm by David is 'A psalm of complaint and of praise'. You find a song by David that contains both words of complaints as well as words of praise to God, and you have to wonder just how possible this is. David was a man like all of us, with his great moments as well as seasons of doubt and despair, and times when he committed great atrocities. However, as we know, David was not called a man after God's heart for nothing, but he was a man who knew the mind of God, and fed him with praise all life long. Even when he sinned, God punished him, even to the generation after him, but the mercies of God never departed from David's house. This is both a warning, as well as a word of faith and encouragement to all of us: God will punish sin, but he will also forgive and cleanse us from all sin, if we confess and return to Him, and he will also save to the end all who have come to put their trust in Him. Does this describe you right now? 

The Message:

David knew he could come to God with his baggage, and God would not turn him away. It is still the same God today, and he waits for all of us to come to Him. He is so powerful that if all of us in the world would ask for the same thing at the same time, God could give it to us. No demand on earth can exhaust the resources of heaven. God owns and holds all things in His hands, and He gives them as He pleases to whoever He pleases, and when He pleases. No one can question his motives or his actions, because He is God. Yet, as God, he wants me to make an approach to Him, just as I am. No pretence, deceit, eye-service or hypocrisy; just simple submission to the God who can do the most amazing with the most unqualified. When you deal with God, you deal with someone who is never in a hurry, yet He is always on time. It would seem that he is taking his time, but when he shows up, you get the best he has on offer. Complain and tell God how you feel, but please make sure you also praise God. 

The Conclusion:

This is why today's verse is critical to the times and season we are in now. David knew the power of remaining strong in the face of challenges and tough times. He had met, fought with and killed a bear and a lion, and had also fought Goliath as well as other men who appeared physically stronger than he was. There was a presence in him that supplied the strength for him to face the challenges on the outside of him. The heart is the place where it must first be settled, if I am to impact the world I have been placed in. No one sees my heart, but there will be no doubt as to the quality of my convictions as revealed in the things that I do. Waiting on the Lord is acknowledging that He has the answer to all the concerns I have. I trust Him enough to wait, and expect him to act. He has never disappointed, and he will not disappoint. God's time of favour is here.