Tuesday March 6, 2007 based on Psalm 27

The writer of Psalm 27 begins very confidently, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” This writer is so confident that we might wonder if he has really been through difficult times. Perhaps he simply sees the world through rose colored glasses. Perhaps he’s never really known what it means to suffer. He might think differently if he knew what the world was really like.

But as we read the following verses, we realize that he does have many things to be afraid of. He describes enemies and foes attacking him, evil men plotting against him, and armies rising up against him. We remember that this writer is David and that David did face all of these situations. David knew what it was like to run for his life.

So we might wonder how he keeps this great confidence in God in the midst of these situations. How is it possible to not be afraid, especially when we are facing enemies, evil men, or even those situations in our lives that seem as large and powerful as armies?

David keeps his confidence by focusing on the bigger picture. In those moments of fear he spends time considering the future. He asks to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life in worship and praise of God. He also remembers how God has been faithful to him in the past. While even his parents have forsaken him, God has been there for him, protecting him and guiding him.

Most of us face fears daily. As we hear stories about the world around us we want to retreat and protect ourselves and our loved ones. We grow more anxious about strangers and germs and death. The more we hear about violence and con-artists and evil, the more these things begin to control our lives.

How can we gain this confidence in God and God’s protection even in the midst of difficult times? How can we make decisions with the confidence that God is in control rather than these darker things?

Like David, we must keep the bigger picture in mind. When we begin to get overwhelmed by our fears, we must stop and consider the future that God has promised us—that we can dwell in his house forever and that God’s goodness will overcome all evil in this world. Even when this world ends, that reality endures. Each Sunday when we gather for worship, each time we gather together for study and fellowship as Christians, whenever we take the time to read the Bible and devotionals, we remind each other and ourselves of the goodness and faithfulness of God even in the midst of the difficulties of this world.

The question we must ask ourselves is whose testimony are we spending more time hearing, speaking, and believing—that of the goodness of God or that of the prevalence of evil? It’s important to keep up with world events and the news, but we must not let sensationalist reporting overwhelm us. And, we must take the time to remember and seek out the good news of God’s action in this world each day. When we do so, we will be able to say with David, “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Prayer: O God, help me to place my confidence in you each and every day. Lead me to those people and places where I might continually hear the good news of your action in this world and let me also join with those voices in proclaiming your goodness. Amen.

Psalm 27 NIV
Of David.

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.

3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.

4 One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.

5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.

6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.

7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD;
be merciful to me and answer me.

8 My heart says of you, "Seek his [b] face!"
Your face, LORD, I will seek.

9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
O God my Savior.

10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.

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.