The Israelite king, David, writes of Yahweh/God as his stronghold in Psalm 27. When we truly trust God and obey Him, we have no reason to fear anyone or anything at any time (verses 1-3). Having that strong confidence in the sovereignty of God requires and intimate abiding with Him (verse 4). That is why God has placed in every person a natural yearning to know Him (verse 8). It is there! It has always been there. We might try to subdue it or quench it with something other that God. But the unshakable truth is that nothing will every truly satisfy your soul until you know God personally and intimately. The Lord Jesus called this eternal life. In His High Priestly prayer in John 17:3, He said, “…this is eternal life, to know You, the one and only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One You sent to earth.”
When you yield to Him and begin to strive after Him daily, your confidence will swell. It will not be traditional self-confidence, but a growing confidence in God’s power, protection, and provision. We can recklessly abandon our lives in His hands knowing that He will never abandon us (verse10). We will grow stronger and bolder as we learn to wait on God in every situation or circumstance (verse 14),
That is not something that 21st century Americans are comfortable doing. Our culture wants the instant whatever. Over the last forty years, we have been groomed to view waiting as inactivity. Waiting is NOT inactivity for the follower of Jesus. It is submission. It is actively listening for the voice of God. It is praying, listening, and submitting to the will and direction of God. His will, His way, in His time. Waiting is a discipline of trusting our sovereign God even when He is silent. Psalm 46:10 reminds us to “Be still and know that I am God.” The original language says, “Stop striving and know that I am God.” Stop struggling, stop worrying, stop fighting, and stop wondering.
Trust the God Who loves you more than you could ever imagine. Resist taking situations into your own hands when you have not heard from God. The Bible is peppered with well-intentioned people who rushed ahead of God. It never turns out well. Abraham rushed ahead of God and the result was Ishmael. Moses rushed ahead of God and the result was his forty years of exile. David rushed ahead of God, and it resulted in three days of deadly pestilence for his people. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit act as our promised stronghold. What He desires from us is unwavering submission, indestructible trust, and hope that sees beyond this world. Remember, when His answer is wait, it is to make us more like the Lord Jesus. Waiting is, indeed, an important spiritual discipline.
