“To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul…”
“Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses…”
“The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant…”
“Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You…”

Psalm 25:1, 12, 14, 21

Throughout the first pages of my planning journal for Vineyards & Olives, the words etched in pen echoed the prayer of King David when he recounted his desperate need and dependency on God.

Like David, we too were not created strong enough to stand alone against the enemies that threaten our capacity to live fully. Fear, anxiety, insecurity, shame, and distress; these were all made to be avenues for us to pursue God at greater depth. Through it, we receive affirmation of His presence in our midst and His supremacy in our situation (Joshua 1:9, Psalm 23:4, Colossians 1:17-18). He is in control. Self-sufficiency is not the goal of this world, but faith in God is.

Faith will lead you towards paths permeating with peace, overflowing with God’s goodness. When Jesus becomes the center of our pursuits, anything God causes in our life is protected by Him so that the circumstance could fulfill His purposeful work in us (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7:8). Only then is our paradigm made right, clouds of fog lifted, and direction clear. He confirms His covenantal promises of our spiritual depravity overrun by grace, an assurance of salvation, and His favor being revealed (Colossians 1:22-23).

As the Psalmist declared his trust in the Lord, he also shared that the secret of God is only disclosed when we learn to fear Him. Saints who fear God behold not only a sustaining fortress, but His friendship and favor (Proverbs 18:10, Psalm 25:14). Regardless of anything we face, and regardless of past sin and shame, He relinquishes it all. Moreover, while every answer we long for may still not be found in the present, and while circumstances still look dim, those who fear the Lord are handed the keys to everlasting victory (Romans 8:37).

We often pray that God would make the best of our circumstances and that He would ultimately, take us to our promised destination. All the while, we relieve ourselves of the responsibility to become teachable, disciplined saints who are approved by God. The often overlooked part of David’s prayer to God in this Psalm is that while his eyes are on the Lord, he does not lighten his own need to be upright with integrity. Whatever we face, we must faithfully follow through with a response of obedience.

Even if we are uncertain of the situation at hand, nothing can truly defeat us because we have kept watchful over our steps before the Lord and He protects the blameless at heart. The mature Christian allows trial to develop his character and produce even more godliness. Righteousness is not only the attractiveness of the people of God, but it is their mark (Luke 9:23). While we wait on the Lord, press on in faith, wholeheartedly trust in God, let us too see that we are embracing His chastisement, not abhorring it, because the keys to Heaven only befit the ones made righteous (Hebrews 10:36).

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we await Your glorious return, may we be found blameless in Your sight, O God. May our character be refined and may our hearts be enlarged with praise for You fight our battles. Because You are the giver of life and Savior of mankind, our gaze will ever be on You.

In Christ We Hope,

Amen