Scripture Lesson: Psalm 27:11-14 (NRSV)

¹¹Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. ¹²Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen against me, and they are breathing out violence. ¹³I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. ¹⁴Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! 

“I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” There is no more hopeful statement than that. Not just after my final breath but well before does the psalmist expect to see the Lord work and bring to fruition what has been promised.

What if God is waiting on me to bring about his goodness today? What if God desires good and time is right but is waiting on you, or me for that matter, to make it happen?

John Wesley said that,

“It seems that without God people cannot and without people God will not.”

That puts things in a much different light doesn’t it? We are part of the good work that God wants to do in the here and now. God may be waiting on forgiveness offered or generosity given or even a moment of patience practiced to bring about a work here on earth. Just think about how many people were healed during Jesus’ day only when they came in contact with Jesus or one of his disciples. They were willing to be used and God was ready to provide the healing and in an instance these persons saw the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Lord Jesus, your promises hold true to all generations. Your power has never waned. Your love refuses to give up or cease. If you are waiting on me to bring about goodness in my life or someone else’s today, please help me see and act instead of wait and see.