In Psalm 27 David grapples with the issue of fear.
Fear of life.
Fear of death.
Fear of hearing yes.
Fear of hearing no.
Fear of moving ahead.
Fear of staying behind.
This is what fear does it keeps you stuck. Stuck in the middle. Taunting you about doing something and tormenting you about doing nothing.
Sound familiar.
Ever had one of those moments that you about jump out of your skin? Fear grips you and your heart drops down to your feet? Thoughts of people make you wanna run?
I’ve had them.
Many different reasons why.
I get mad when I know fear is trying to grip my soul and squeeze the life out of me.
I love this Psalm that David pens. From the place of courage, which is usually when we are staring fear right in the face. A new kind of strength begins to emerge and the revelation of who God is in us and who we are in him begins to manifest.
It is a glorious slam to the enemy when he wants to taunt us with fear.
Fear sucks.
I mean literally, fear sucks because it attempts to drain us of everything good God wants us to believe him for. The enemy knows if fear dominates, then our faith will not.
Listen To David
Listen to what David says as He pours his heart out and reminds himself of the greatness of our God. He draws from deep within himself to declare who God is within him!
Psalm 27:1- 4
The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear or dread?The Lord is the refuge and stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?When the wicked , even my enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
Though war arise against me(even then) in this will I be confident
One thing I have asked of The Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and (Insistently) require: that I may dwell in the house of The Lord ( in his presence) all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty ( the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness) of The Lord and to meditate, consider and inquire in his temple.
David was so aware of his enemies. He knew the battle of dread and had to overcome the fear of man. When armies of enemies and war would rise against him, David knew the one thing, the only thing He needed to do. David could have had many options but He knew the one option, the one thing that was the primary thing. God himself. Get hidden in God.
He knew that as his eyes and heart were fixed upon the God of his life. He would be just fine. And not just fine but hidden in a secret place with God that no enemy could touch him. This wasn’t anything someone could teach him, this was something David needed to discover. Discovering God as a refuge. A shelter from the storm.
Do A Little Inventory
How about you? Have you discovered this place in God?
Are you running because fear has gripped your heart?
Are you running from people?
Are you running from your life only to get to your life?
David recognized the only power his enemy had was what power He relinquished. His confidence in God would emerge at this thought, enabling him to be empowered.
Psalm 27:5
For in the day of trouble He will hide me in his shelter; in the secret place of his tent He will hide me; He will set me high upon a rock.
The rocks of fear the enemy throws at you will soon become the rock you stand on to defeat him with. God never wastes your battle.
Psalm 27:6
And now shall my head be lifted up above my enemies round about me; in his tent I will offer sacrifices and shouting of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to The Lord.
Stay Fixed
Like David, stay fixed upon The Lord with your eyes. When your eyes are lifted up your head will be lifted up. You will gaze upon The Lord even in your weariness and your enemies will be diminished..
Psalm 27:7-8
Hear, O Lord, When I cry aloud; have mercy and be gracious to me and answer me!You have said, seek my face (inquire for and require my presence as your vital need.) my heart says to you, Your face ( your presence), Lord, will I seek, inquire for, and require( of necessity and on the authority of your word)
David’s Authenticity
David doesn’t have regurgitated words he prays. He pours his heart and soul out to God. Words that were forged from pain and deep desire for God. Words that didn’t come out of a vacuum. David’s words came from anguish and turmoil. David’s words came from another place. A place only God could enter. A place of despair that turned into an intimate place of meeting God.
Psalm 27:9
Hide not your face from me; turn not your servant in anger, You who have been my help! Cast me not off, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation
David pleads with God to not turn him away. Reminding God that He is the God of his salvation!
Psalm 27:10
Although my father and mother have forsaken me, yet The Lord will take me up. (adopt me as his child)
David is Vulnerable
David, as vulnerable as a helpless child, throws himself upon the tender mercies of the father heart of God.
Psalm 27:11- 12
Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain and even path because of my enemies. ( those who lie in wait for me)give me not up to the will of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen up against me; they breathe out cruelty and violence.
David cries for God to teach him to lead him and protect him from his enemies.
Do you cry out for God to teach you? How about when the enemy uses people to set you up? Do you take it into your own hands or turn to God for wisdom and protection?
Psalm 27:13
(what would have become of me) Had I not believed that I would see The Lord’s goodness in the land of the living!
David knew that it was what and who He believed that would determine where He would end up. The land of the living represents those that believe God.
Those that choose to turn to him and his word in the taunting and attacks of the enemy.
Those that choose to believe what God said over what they saw and they felt.
David learned to rule over his life instead of it being ruled by the outside forces and factors encroaching upon him.
Psalm 27:14
Wait and hope for and expect the Lord: be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and endearing. Yes, wait for, and hope for, and expect The Lord
Waiting On The Lord
David knew what it was to “ wait upon the Lord”. He learned expectancy as He waited, He learned worship in the waiting. He learned steadfastness of heart! His heart was learning to be immovable.
What about you?
Are you learning to be immovable no matter what circumstances try to intimidate you?
Have you learned to collect the rocks thrown at you and stand on them enabling your head to be lifted above your enemies?
God is developing within you a heart that loves him, a faith that is immovable and a strength that is unshakable all because HE is making you!