The Land of the Living

Am I in the land of the living?

Psalms 27:13-14 (ESV)

13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!

14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

What is this goodness David believes he will see in the “land of the living”?

This question brings up another question. One needing to be answered first.

Am I in the land of the living?

I don’t think so personally, but I understand the other opinion is just as valid. Someone could say, “Of course I am living in the land of the living. The people I interact with through my alive body are all breathing, moving, thinking and talking. And this is obviously true.

But what is living in a deeper sense? What does “good living” look like?

Well, it’s more than respiration and a pulse. It’s a hope and a future, isn’t it? And if this kind of abundant life - which has nothing to do with material abundance in any way shape or form - but instead is a full heart of joy and the ability to express it freely without a concern that it will be attacked by living dead people, then I have to believe I have not yet arrived at this land of the living David describes.

David’s following statement leads me to believe that he saw a similar situation as do I, because the next word he states is “Wait”.

“Wait for the Lord.”.

It isn’t yet. It isn’t now. And until then the operative word is “Courage”.

Have courage. Be strong. Resist discouragement. The land of the living lies ahead. And we will know it when we see with living eyes the Lord. That’s what David believed and it’s good enough for me.