13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
This testimony of David shows how important it is for God’s children to keep their confidence and hope in the LORD’s goodness, even when they are in the midst of hostility. David was in a terrible condition of mind because of his enemies’ concerted efforts to destroy him. So he cried unto God, in the previous verse, saying, “Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty” (Psalm 27:12).
When numerous, formidable enemies surrounded him, David’s only assurance was that the Lord would be good to him. He believed that God would uphold him and would deliver him from the devices of the wicked men.
It was David’s faith in the LORD’s goodness that strengthened his heart to endure his intimidating circumstances. His remembrance of God’s goodness inspired courage and awakened fortitude in him. In a time of perplexity and trial, he had confidence in God, and believed that He would uphold his weakened heart and hands. He believed that God would permit him to see the evidence of His goodness and mercy while yet on earth. It granted his troubled soul nerves of steel to press on, and trust in God to conjure up victory out of seeming defeat.
Our hearts can faint if we do not put our trust and hope in the LORD’s goodness. When the heart is dejected, it would refuse to believe that there will be deliverance and blessings. The best cure for such devastating pessimism is our hope in the LORD’s goodness. If we believe, first and foremost, that the Lord is good to all who trust in Him, our souls shall find strength to hold off the assault of doubt and pessimism.
Our Christian life must be full of persistent belief in God’s goodness. In our enterprises for God, in the midst of our inward conflicts and our fears, as well as in times of our victories and prosperity, our only safeguard is to believe in His goodness. Only faith in the LORD’s goodness can excite our hearts to the most courageous of actions of faith. Such confidence in the LORD would arouse the most holy and earnest passions within us. It would help us to be diligent and prevent us from falling short of all that is expected of us as God’s servants.