The concluding exhortation of Psalm 27 is to “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!” (v. 14). This is the climactic conclusion to David’s consideration of the reasons for exercising a heroic, patient faith. Consider thoughtfully David’s rationale for a faith that is confident enough to wait upon the Lord.
- Because of the nature and character of God, wait confidently. “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?” (v. 1).
- Because of Jehovah’s spotless track record (v. 2), wait confidently (v. 3). “When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be”
- Because of the singular focus of your life (v. 4), wait confidently (vv. 5-6). “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. 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. 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.”
- Because of God’s promises to answer the prayer of the obedient (vv. 7-8), wait confidently (vv. 9-10). “Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me and answer me. When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” 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. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me.”
The fact that He Himself has said, “I will never leave nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5) ought to result in a faith that confidently waits. They “who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
“Wait, I say, on the Lord!”
