Yesterday we said that when we by faith alone trust in Jesus for our salvation, we are called to trust Him for everything, and to walk in the path He has for us. How will we know what He has prepared for us? We seek Him (Matt 6:33). How do we seek Him? In prayer, and prayerfully reading and meditating on His Word, we ask of Him: “Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a level path because of my foes.” (Ps 27:11) 

The next two verses make a request regarding our foes, and then offer the reason to keep hoping instead of giving into despair. “Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breathe out violence. I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” (Ps 27:12-13)

When we look at verses 11-13 together, we see a clearer picture as to why we can trust in the goodness of the Lord. First, we seek Him in relationship and ask that He teach us His ways, and to set us on a level surface so that we don’t stumble. “Make me know Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day.” (Ps 25:4-5)

Secondly, we call upon the Lord in faith (James 1:6) to keep our enemies from overtaking us. “I said to the Lord, ‘You are my God; Give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplications. O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle. Do not grant, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; Do not promote his evil device, that they not be exalted. Selah.'” (Ps 140:6-8)

Third, we place our faith in the Lord alone (Ps 56:3), and we trust in Him alone. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” (2 Cor 4:7-10) 

When we have a relationship with the Lord, we know He is ready and willing to teach us how He wants us to live. We know He will hear our requests that we bring to him in faith, without anxiety and with thanksgiving, because He promises to guard our hearts and minds; we know we can trust in His goodness. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:4-7) So “therefore we do not lose heart” (2 Cor 4:16a).