A rough, Old Testament warrior and a 21st century housewife—what might they have in common? Reading through the Psalms, we find a man who was determined to find the heart of God and walk in obedience. While there are not many similarities between my life and the life of this man, his words still touch my need and steady my floundering heart.
David set his heart on God even when his life was fraught with difficulty and distress. He was often unable to have the secure life he craved. As I read through his writings, I embark on a personal journey of faith and obedience. Often when confronted with a need in my life, the first words that come to my lips are “I’ll try”. It is so easy to allow emotions of frustration, fear, and worry to rule, instead of making the conscious choice of obedience. Many times, throughout the book of Psalms, David uses the words “I will”. David was determined to steer his heart in the way of obedience. Follow me on my journey thru this beautiful book as we explore a few of David’s “I wills”.
- I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart. –Psalm 9:1a
- I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. –Psalm 18:1
- I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised. –Psalm 18:3a
- I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord. –Psalm 32:5b
- I will keep my mouth with a bridle. –Psalm 39:1b
- I will wait on thy name. –Psalm 52:9b
- I will trust in thee. –Psalm 56:3b
- I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. –Psalm 56:4b
- I will declare what he hath done for my soul. –Psalm 66:16b
- I will praise the name of God with a song. –Psalm 69:30a
- I will go in the strength of the Lord God. –Psalm 71:16a
- I will remember the works of the Lord. –Psalm 77:11a
- I will meditate also of all thy work and talk of thy doings. –Psalm 77:12
- I will be satisfied when I awake with Thy likeness. –Psalm 17:5b
Most of David’s “I wills” were a conscious, emotional choice in the middle of unruly circumstances. Without emotions, this world would be a cold, hard place unable to be inhabited by God’s Spirit. All humankind was created with emotion, but women especially are easily dominated by them. We deal with the ebb and flow of our emotions daily, often like a wild horse which constantly tries to get out of control. But God also gives us His strength to rein in this ‘wild horse’ and guide it in the right direction. Once the choice is made, God’s grace is all ours. Opposite from what we often tell ourselves, we are not victims of our feelings or emotions. We are responsible to take action, for this is, in fact, a war between good and evil. It is a war between our sin nature and the nature of Christ.
I want to look at a few struggles which are common to women and then we will look at how a God-directed “I will” can change our perspective and ultimately affect our emotional responses and spiritual health.
Comparison
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise –2 Corinthians 10:12.
It is our natural tendency to compare ourselves with others. Yet every time, we end up feeling either superior or inferior to the other person. This evokes many emotions that can either depress us, or unjustly affirm ourselves. Neither of these responses produces a peaceful heart. Instead of following this tendency of comparison, we can say like David, “I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.” Having our eyes on Christ will fulfill our hearts in a way that our desire for human reassurance and acceptance never can or will.
Fear
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee –Psalm 56:3.
It doesn’t always feel like we have a choice in this one, as fear tends to crash in on us without warning. But in some of my recent battles with fear, God showed me that living in continual fear is refusing to believe the promises found in His Word. David’s “I will trust in Thee” is a conscious choice that I also need to make. As some have said, “Fear is living in the future without God in it.” God’s grace is here for me today and it will be here for me tomorrow, but I cannot try to find grace today for tomorrow’s trials.
Discontentment
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content –Philippians 4:11.
And having food and raiment let us be therewith content –1 Timothy 6:8.
Everything about the advertising strategies of today’s world are designed to create a desire for more. No matter how beautiful of a house we live in, our human nature will always crave just one more thing. Consider the peace that is available for you as a woman of God, if you choose to imitate David’s attitude, “I will be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness.” As God fulfills the longings of your heart, there’s no longer a need to search for a counterfeit fulfillment.
Gossip
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man –Colossians 4:6.
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers –Ephesians 4:29.
The word ‘gossip’ is defined as “casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details which are not confirmed to be true.” It is often an effort to elevate our own ego which is rooted in insecurity. David says, “I will keep my mouth with a bridle.” Even though he had every reason to spread ‘stories’ about his enemies, he found no need to devalue others through gossip.
Here we have considered only a few examples. I encourage each of you to prayerfully evaluate your own emotional responses and the way they can dominate your life. Here is a list of questions to help you discern the areas in your life that may need a change of perspective.
- Do you need more of an “I will” attitude in your life?
- Are you listless and wondering about the meaning of life?
- Are you struggling with depression?
- Do you struggle with your priorities and lack of motivation to change them?
- Do your children need more words of encouragement?
- Do you struggle with unhealthy eating habits?
- Are you caught in the cogs of negative thought patterns?
- Are you fighting your husband’s desires and leadership?
Good intentions and change are often only separated by lack of faith and motivation. Often, we don’t understand how God intimately cares about these emotions and problems in our lives and is waiting to see our willingness to change. When we take the first step of obedience, His grace is there to do the miracle. The “I’ll try” mindset brings lethargy and defeat. The “I will” opens up God’s endless store of grace. Every day brings hundreds of small decisions. How we respond to these decisions eventually form the woman we become and the woman we will be in our old age.
Mary, the future mother of Jesus, was suddenly face to face with an angel one day. His words troubled her and she “cast in her mind” what he was telling her. She could have allowed herself to be overcome with fear at the thought of what the angel’s words meant for her. Instead, she said, “Behold the handmaiden of the Lord, be it unto me according to Thy word.” She chose faith and it impacted the world in ways she could never have imagined.
It was a choice. A choice for which she could not take days or weeks to prepare. However, her being a part of God’s plan for the salvation of the world hung on that choice.
Esther, the queen was faced with a serious dilemma. Her people were in danger of being wiped out by the treacherous Haman. Mordecai told her that she was a queen for such a time as this and she must go in to the king and beg for his help. Her heart quavered. She was well acquainted with the king’s rules that whoever ventured into his palace without an invitation would likely be killed. But she chose courage… “If I perish, I perish.” She was going to do what she could for her people no matter what the cost.
It was just a choice. Yet the safety of her people and the miracle of their deliverance came through her willingness to make such a difficult choice.
Attitudes and emotions—the negative, or the positive—are all hidden choices we must make. Which will you choose, the faithless “I’ll try” or the courageous “I will”? Will you choose, by God’s grace, to make the right choice? God has promised to perfect the things which concern you, but He will not do His work in your life without your “I will”. It is up to you.
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: –2 Corinthians 9:8.
