Matthew Henry: Wait upon the Lord

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I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14

“Those that walk by faith in the goodness of the Lord shall in due time walk in the sight of that goodness. This he hopes to see in the land of the living, that is, In this world, that he should outlive his troubles and not perish under them. It is his comfort, not so much that he shall see the land of the living as that he shall see the goodness of God in it; for that is the comfort of all creature-comforts to a gracious soul…

In heaven, it is that alone that may truly be called the land of the living, where there is no more death. This earth is the land of the dying. There is nothing like the believing hope of eternal life, the foresights of that glory, and foretastes of those pleasures, to keep us from fainting under all the calamities of this present time.

That in the meantime he should be strengthened to bear up under his burdens; whether he says it to himself, or to his friends, it comes all to one; this is that which encourages him: He shall strengthen thy heart, shall sustain thy spirit, and then the spirit shall sustain the infirmity. In that strength, Keep close to God and to your duty. Wait on the Lord by faith, and prayer, and a humble resignation to his will; wait, I say, on the Lord; whatever you do, grow not remiss in your attendance upon God.

Keep up your spirits in the midst of the greatest dangers and difficulties: Be of good courage; let your hearts be fixed, trusting in God, and your minds stayed upon him, and then let none of these things move you. Those that wait upon the Lord have reason to be of good courage.”

Matthew Henry (1662-1714) in his Commentary on Psalm 27.

At first glance this reading may appear to have nothing to do with generosity, however it may contain one of the most central ideas linked to generosity in the Scriptures.

The generous person is confident in waiting on the generosity or goodness of the Lord. Our capacity and ability to be generous is rooted in God’s faithfulness.

We don’t like waiting in modern times. But to the one who does, God sustains the spirit. We do this by humbly resigning ourselves to embracing His will for us.

I needed this today because I miss my wife and family back home. It’s day 22 of a 29 day trip. I find generous renewal by waiting on Him, being strong, taking heart, and waiting for the LORD.

Care to join me? Here’s a good starting point. Read Psalm 27. Enjoy.