Scripture Reading(s)
Psalm 27
27:1 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?
27:2 When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh– my adversaries and foes– they shall stumble and fall.
27:3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident.
27:4 One thing I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.
27:5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock.
27:6 Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD.
27:7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me!
27:8 “Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!” Your face, LORD, do I seek.
27:9 Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help. Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation!
27:10 If my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will take me up.
27:11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.
27:12 Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen against me, and they are breathing out violence.
27:13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
27:14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
Reflections
David had experienced some of the most hardest and trying times that we read about in the Old Testament. Those he once called his friends were now his enemies. His own flesh and blood sought to destroy him. The very kingdom in which he was once a respected and loved king had exiled him. His life was constantly being threatened and the list of enemies were growing in number.
However, here we see David reminding himself that God is the ruler above all these things. Nothing in this world can match the all supreme and loving power of our God.
Last night I was having a conversation with a few of my close friends and we were discussing how struggles are not meant to punish us, but are meant to draw us closer to God and to experience His power work through our lives. There was a comment that was made about how when Moses was first called back to Egypt, his first day of attempting to free the Israelites was immediately met with hard opposition and failure. However, it was during that moment that God basically said watch what I am about to do and let me show you how awesome my power is.
Just like the Psalmist says in verse 13 ” I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living” so should we hang on to that same truth. Furthermore we should also imitate the Psalmist bold faith in waiting for the Lord and to “be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!”
There is a reason why David had so many heart-felt lamentations; he truly believed the Lord would deliver him. I ask you today, do you believe the Lord will take care of you? Do you believe earnestly that God is listening to your prayers?
If my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will take me up. (Psalm 27:10)
I am reminded of Romans 8.
If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 8:31-39)
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