January 3rd

January 3rd

Read: Psalm 27 and John 15

In verse 14 of Psalm 27, the word ‘wait’ means in the Hebrew “to bind together, perhaps by twisting.” If we apply this definition to verse 14, we might read it, “Bind yourself together with the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thy heart. Bind yourself together with the LORD, I say.”

Does your heart need strengthening? Remember, the heart in God’s Word involves the emotions, the intellect, and the will. It is the center of the human being, the place where all decisions are made and from which all motives arise.

Arthur W. Pink writes in his” Life of David” 1, “No man stands any longer than the divine grace upholds him.” Perhaps an illustration from my life will give a more vivid picture of this truth.

In my yard were two maple trees. Their trunks are perhaps eighteen inches apart at ground level. For some reason those two trees twined themselves around one another as lovers might embrace. If one of those trees were to be cut off at the ground, the tree would not fall because of the strength of the second tree which is still firmly rooted. This is the picture of us twisting ourselves around God and twisting Him into the very fabric of our lives so that we might be strengthened by His omnipotence.

When troubles that come would confound me,
When outside conditions oppress,
I feel His strong arms come around me
‘Til I’m larger than my distress.
For greater is He that is in me
Than all of the legions that storm.
He slows the swift eddies that spin me
And drives away locusts that swarm.
He watches my every condition
And knows of my need e’er I call.
He brings budding life to fruition
And guides every step lest I fall.
When burdens press close or there’s sadness,
His presence doth ever abide,
And deep in my heart there springs gladness
For by His grace is strength magnified.

Prayer: Help me always to come to You for my strength.
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^{1 Pink, Arthur W., The Life of David, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan.}