An exuberant declaration of faith
Psalm 27 A Psalm of David KJV
27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat {1} up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the {2} beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.
5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
6 And now shall mine head be lifted up {3} above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy {4}; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me and answer me.
8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.
9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.
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 {5} on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
{References}
Psalm 27:2 devour
Psalm 27:4 delightfulness
Psalm 27:6 Lifted up in honour
Psalm 27:6 joyous shouts
Psalm 27:14 Wait in faith
Comments
This Psalm has a habit, when I am finding life difficult, of coming to my notice.
I find it has had all-encompassing message over the years. It starts mentioning God, also my need of his light and salvation. This becomes evident as life marches on!
Then the Psalm mentions lots of what we face as Christians - battles, in all aspects of our humanity as God works with us to bring us into Christ's likeness.
It talks regarding battles, which sometimes has to do with relationships as it has been for me.
It is comforting also encouraging when it assures us, we are not alone, it is a two-way relationship.
As we face ourselves during it all we also need to know how to deal with the enemy of our souls - Satan.
We are never alone.
I particularly love the last verse, which is hard to comply with -
WAIT on the Lord, be of good courage - he will strengthen your heart "out of which come all the issues of life."
That covers so much!
Last line of the verse again the command - WAIT I say on the Lord!
While grounded in Australia (due to an ash cloud) a few years ago, with my great niece, I got a bit stressed, then this is the verse (v14) that came to mind.
This verse brought me peace and the Lord worked it all out without any hitches!
A further bonus too was my great-niece, who was still in primary school had the opportunity to sample school in Australia whilst there.
A wonderful experience for her, and reassurance for her parents in Scotland.
Father God had it all in hand!
Amen
by Guest blogger J Esslemont (medical missionary- retired)
Print copy at
https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/psalm-27