Journal for Christ: Wait... Hope... Stand

August 10, 2018

WORD:

Ps 27:11-14

11 Teach me your way, O LORD;

lead me in a straight path

because of my oppressors.

12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,

for false witnesses rise up against me,

breathing out violence. *

13 I am still confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the LORD

in the land of the living.

14 Wait for the LORD;

be strong and take heart

and wait for the LORD.

NIV (1984)

* spouting malicious accusations

NIV (2011)

Ps 27:11-14

11 Teach me how to live, O Lord.

Lead me along the right path,

for my enemies are waiting for me.

12 Do not let me fall into their hands.

For they accuse me of things I've never done;

with every breath they threaten me with violence.

13 Yet I am confident I will see the Lord's goodness

while I am here in the land of the living.

14 Wait patiently for the Lord.

Be brave and courageous.

Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Ps 27:11-14

11 Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

KJV

Ps 27:11-28:1

11 Teach me your way, O Lord,

and lead me on a level path

because of my enemies.

12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;

for false witnesses have risen against me,

and they breathe out violence.

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!

ESV

If you consult a standard Old Testament Interlinear, the English translation underneath is usually from the KJV. When comparing the various verses where these two words “strong” and “courageous” appear in the same verse, we often see this phrase, “be strong and courageous.” However, this is not always the case. An example of an exception would be Psalm 27:14 when compared with Joshua 1:9 and other places where it is translated as the phrase above. Here in this verse, the KJV translators reversed the translations of these words.

The two words in question are Hazaq and Amatz. In Joshua 1:9 we have, “Be strong (Hazaq) and courageous (Amatz). Here in Psalm 27:14 the KJV has “be of good courage” (Hazaq), and “he shall strengthen” (Amats). Laying aside the difference in translation between the KJV and the other versions on the latter half of the verse, why did the translators of the KJV decide to translate these words one way here and another way in other places?

A simple reference to some lexicon and dictionaries will reveal the reason why this is possible.

Strong’s defines these two words this way:

OT:2388 qz^j* chazaq (khaw-zak'); a primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer

OT:553 Jm^a* 'amats (aw-mats'); a primitive root; to be alert, physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage)

TWOT says:

636 OT:2388 qz~j* (µ¹zaq) be(come) strong, strengthen, prevail, harden, be courageous, be sore (meaning be severe). (ASV and RSV similar.)

OT:553

117 OT:553 Jm@a* (°¹m¢ƒ) be stout, strong, alert, bold, be solid, hard, (KJV, ASV, and RSV translate similarly.)

As you can see, the meaning of these two words overlaps; though as far as I can tell, they are not considered synonyms.

What of the other places where these words are used but translated differently.

· 2 Chron 11:17:

Ø So they strengthened (hazak) the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong (amats), three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon. KJV

Ø They strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam son of Solomon three years, walking in the ways of David and Solomon during this time. NIV (so also NLT)

Ø They strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and for three years they made Rehoboam the son of Solomon secure, for they walked for three years in the way of David and Solomon. ESV

The KJV uses “strengthen” and “strong.” Notice all four versions translate “hazak” as “strengthened.” However, they diverge on the word “amats.” The NIV and NLT translate it as “supported” and the ESV as “secure.”

· 2 Chron 13:7

Ø And there are gathered unto him vain men, the children of Belial, and have strengthened (amats) themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tenderhearted, and could not withstand (hazak) them. KJV

Ø Some worthless scoundrels gathered around him and opposed Rehoboam son of Solomon when he was young and indecisive and not strong enough to resist them. NIV

Ø Then a whole gang of scoundrels joined him, defying Solomon's son Rehoboam when he was young and inexperienced and could not stand up to them. NLT

Ø and certain worthless scoundrels gathered about him and defied Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and irresolute and could not withstand them. ESV

Notice the KJV now translates “amats” as “strengthened.” However, the other translations translate as “opposed” or “defied/defying.” The KJV translates “hazak” as “could...withstand.” Thus diverting from translating it as “strong” or “courageous.” The ESV also does this. The NLT translates it as “could...stand up.” The NIV uses the word “strong” in its translation.

· Isa 35:3

Ø Strengthen (hazak) ye the weak hands, and confirm (amats) the feeble knees. KJV

Ø Strengthen the feeble hands,

steady the knees that give way; NIV

Ø With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands,

and encourage those who have weak knees. NLT

Ø Strengthen the weak hands,

and make firm the feeble knees. ESV

Now we have “hazak” again translated as “strengthened” and so also the other versions. Now “amats” is translated different ways but not as “strong” or “courageous.”

· Nah 2:1

Ø He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face: keep the munition, watch the way, make thy loins strong (hazak), fortify (amats) thy power mightily. KJV

Ø An attacker advances against you, [Nineveh].

Guard the fortress,

watch the road,

brace yourselves,

marshal all your strength! NIV

Ø Your enemy is coming to crush you, Nineveh.

Man the ramparts! Watch the roads!

Prepare your defenses! Call out your forces! NLT

Ø The scatterer has come up against you.

Man the ramparts;

watch the road;

dress for battle;

collect all your strength. ESV

Here we probably have the most divergent use of these words among the translations with the KJV keeping the idea of strength in the word “hazak” but joining the others in translating “amats” differently.

I have only mentioned the passages where these words appear together. However, in passages where these words are used by themselves they not only are translated with the idea of “strength(ed) or “strong, they are also used more negatively as well. Moses also uses “hazak” concerning the “hardening” of the Pharaoh’s heart in Exodus. The Chronicler uses “amats” this way in 2 Chronicles 36:13.

I have endeavored to give one a sense of the various shades of meaning of the words “hazak” and “amats.” I do not want to go beyond my ability and read to much into Psalm 27:14 in light of these varieties, but I think that by gaining an understanding of them, my own understanding of verse 14 has been enriched.

Finally, as if to reinforce and remind himself of his reliance on the Lord, David repeats again to himself, “wait on the LORD.” He sandwiches his words of exhortation and encouragement in between this double reminder. What a powerful way to end the Psalm as it harkens, in a way, back to the opening words of the Psalm.

Psalm 27:1-3	Psalm 27:14
The Lord is my light and my salvation -	Wait for the LORD
whom shall I fear?	Be strong
The Lord is the stronghold of my life -	Wait for the LORD
of whom shall I be afraid?	take heart

If I were to personalize this verse it might go something like this:

Wait earnestly for the Lord, with heart steadied and standing firm. When you place your future hope in Him, you are enabled and empowered, strengthened and steeled to withstand the onslaught of your enemies. Therefore, my soul, wait with confidence for the Lord’s help and deliverance.

Witness:

The other day I was praying again for help in dealing with pride. Pride, as I have said before, fueled by an inferiority complex.

That night I worked hard and went beyond the call of duty in helping check in stock and stocking it. In the morning an employee of equal rank thanked me for helping but questioned the way I checked in the merchandise contained in totes delivered to the large vault cooler. He said he “had to laugh when he saw how I had checked it in.” I felt deflated. Then a question arose in my mind, “Why do I do what I do – for the praise of man or for the glory of God?”

As I struggled with the answer to that question I also began to question the authenticity of my faith itself. I asked God to give me assurance. Sometimes I wonder whether my faith is authentic or just a mountain of good sounding words. A mask hiding the real doubter and skeptic I can be from time to time.

Then out of the blue, a blast from the past came into the picture. Someone I had thought about recently but couldn’t remember his name. He was a member of the small mission church I had pastored over 30 years ago. He messaged me and thanked me for the influence I had had in his life. I had always looked back on that experience as a home mission pastor as one of my many failures, but here was one person sharing how I had helped him. I saw this as a confirmation of my prayer for assurance.

I was elated but sure enough the “Elijah Syndrome” hit me the next day. You know, the one where Elijah meets and defeats the prophets of Baal and the next day he’s running in fear for his life feeling dejected and alone and despairing of his life. For some reason, in spite of God’s blessing the night before, I felt empty. I was not responsive to the message preached on Sunday. Others cried, but I was numb. I wrestled with my feelings. I reminded myself that feelings are indicators, not facts. They were indicating I had an infection in my faith not a complete lack of it. Again, I prayed for help.

As is my habit, I regularly review old journal entries. So, I sat down that night and read from an entry that began with the song “Humble Thyself.” The song begins with the words “Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.” Were pride and self-doubt keeping me from accepting God’s loving affirmation?

So I began the other day with prayer about my pride, and here God was bringing me full circle! Surely, Lord, You order my steps and “guide me in the paths of righteousness.”^{(Ps 23:3b)} You humble me by reminding me that You do this “for Your name’s sake.”^{(Ps. 23:3c)} And You remind me that I am Your child because you declare in Hebrews:

⁷Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? ⁸ If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. ⁹ Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! ¹⁰ Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. ¹¹No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Heb 12:7-11 NIV

And wait what is this that follows? A verse that harkens back, in a way, to our study of Psalm 27:14 with this exhortation:

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.
Heb 12:12 NIV

So when God sends me blessings in the form of affirmation or affliction, I will praise Him and wait on the Lord in hope, strengthened by the thought of His good and glorious purpose in all these things. And there is a moral aspect to my waiting as well — so that I may “share in His holiness” and enjoy the “harvest of righteousness and peace” He purposes to bring out in me by His discipline.

Hebrews 12:9-13The Apostle cheers up those who are tried, with the reflection that the good which will come out of their trouble will abundantly recompense them. They are not to expect to see that good at once. It will come afterwards — not yet. No reasonable man expects the harvest at the same time that he sows. You must wait a while — bear with patience — have confidence in God — and all your trials will end well.(from Spurgeon's Expository Notes. Biblesoft Formatted Electronic Database Copyright © 2014 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Hebrews 12:12-131. It is the duty of all faithful ministers of the gospel to consider diligently what failures or temptations their flocks are liable or exposed to, so as to apply suitable means for their preservation.2. Despondency is the great evil which, in all our sufferings and afflictions, we are with all intension of mind to watch against.3. We do well to pity men who are weary and fainting in their courage and under their burdens; but we are to be no way gentle towards ourselves in our spiritual weariness and decays, because we have continued supplies of strength ready for us, if we use them in a due manner.4. This exhortation is given us in a peculiar manner, namely, that we ought to confirm our minds against all discouragements and despondencies under our sufferings and afflictions by the consideration of God's design in them, and the blessed success which he will give to them.5. The recovery of this frame, or the restoration of our spiritual hands and knees to their former vigor, is by stirring up all grace to its due exercise, which is torpid and desponding under sloth in this frame.
(from Works of John Owen: Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 2004, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. and Ages Software, Inc. All rights reserved.)

WAIT

Wait... when God stays not His hand.

Though you cannot see or understand

The reason for this trial or comprehend

His goodness in discipline He doth wend

Towards you, His loved and chosen child

Whom He adopted and reconciled.

‘Tis for your good and for His glory

In God’s marvelous unfolding story.

And when we come to the end of life’s run,

Crossing the finish line, a new life has begun.

So don’t walk away when you don’t know why.

Your Father knows the best discipline to apply.

Worship: You Are, by Life.Church

When I feel lost in the dark

And all of these fears surround my heart

I know You see me

And I feel You’re with me

Jesus, You are

When I am caught in the night

And I cannot see the other side

Still, You are near me

And You’re never failing

Jesus, You are

Oh... even in the unknown

Oh... I know You are good

Oh... even in the waiting

You are good

Jesus, You are

When it seems like the road is long

Help me to sing just one more song

You are my healer

And You are the Answer

Jesus, You are

Oh... even in the unknown

Oh...I know You are good

Oh... even in the waiting

You are good

Oh, He is so good

Oh... even in the unknown

Oh... I know You are good

Oh... even in the waiting

You are good

Jesus, You are

Let this be our declaration

Even in the waiting...

And I will lift my hands

While I’m waiting

And louder than my fears

I will sing

May my heart

Ever be reminded

That You are good

You are good (repeat 3x)

Oh... even in the unknown

Oh... I know You are good

Oh... even in the waiting

You are good

Oh... even in the unknown

Oh... I know You are good

Oh... even in the waiting

You are good

Oh,

You are good

Jesus, You are

Lyrics: This song is so new that the lyrics are not available yet online. I believe this song was written for the latest sermon series and book written by our Pastor Craig Groeschel called, Hope in The Dark. I have tried to write down the lyrics accurately as I hear them sung on the video.

One word of caution. The first stanza has this line in it: "And I feel You’re with me." As I said above, feelings aren’t facts. Whether we feel His presence or not, there is a sense in which we are never out of His presence (Psalm 139). The fact is that he does see us and is with us. He may remove that sense of His presence, but He never really leaves us. The lack of this sense should cause us to take a spiritual assessment of our life and actions and pray for wisdom (Psalm 139:23-24; James 1:5) and wait for the answer. In the meantime, trust in His goodness, walk as if in His presence (because you really are), and trust in His promises (such as Is. 41;10; Mt 28:20).

Video: https://youtu.be/yspGtoYLbdE?list=PLXvTERtQ_HV_gHM6GWWPiy2ymOplqSVr1

Journal for Christ

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Wait... Hope... Stand

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