PASTOR’S CORNER, Larry Moore, Faith Tabernacle Church, Liberal

All of us know what it feels like to have trouble pressing in from every side. When trouble does come, we instinctively look for something solid, something immovable when everything else around us does. Psalm 27 is David’s confession of where he turns during troubled times.

This psalm was written while David’s enemies were encircling, with increasing danger, his relationships were strained, and his future was uncertain. David, like many of us, was a man surrounded by trouble, yet anchored by trusting God. In the midst of his difficulties, David shows us a path forward: (1) Confidence in who God is; (2) Communion with God; (3) Courage to trust God. I believe that God sustains His people in times of trouble with confidence, His presence, and courage.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident. (Ps. 27:1-3, NASB)

David’s confidence in God dispels his fear. He testifies that in this life there is evil and darkness, but triumphantly declares THE LORD IS YOUR LIGHT! He lights the way when we experience doubt or struggle with sin. What is it you are struggling with and troubled by? Danger? Doubt? Evil? Darkness? Trouble? Anxiety? Sin? THE LORD IS YOUR SALVATION! In Christ, we are safe and He is the One who delivers us from anything we may be troubled by. In times like these, we need Someone to defend us; a protector. God is like a fortress for us when the assaults from the enemy are hurled at us. He is the strength of our life.

David expresses great confidence in the Lord who dispels fear as his LIGHT … SALVATION… STRONGHOLD. With a God like this, whom shall we fear or dread? Paul said, “If God be for us, who shall be against us?” If Omnipotence be your Guard, you have no cause to fear. If God is your Light, you don’t have to fear darkness/evil; If God is your Salvation, you don’t have to fear death; If God is the defense of you life, you don’t have to fear the assaults from the enemy.

One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord And to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock. And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. (Ps. 27:4-6 NASB)

In these verses, David communes with God and it brings him security. David further expresses his confidence in the Lord by his longing to dwell in His house…to live there all of his life…to enjoy His beauty and to seek Him there in the temple. As the years go by, life has a way of simplifying your desires. Things you once thought were essential fall away. You stop chasing what doesn’t matter. You learn what the ‘one thing’ really is.

David has reached that point. He’s not asking for a change in circumstances, or for enemies to disappear, or for an easier path. His ‘one thing’ is simply this: to be near the Lord. To dwell with Him. To see His beauty. To seek Him.

Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice, And be gracious to me and answer me. When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, O Lord, I shall seek.” Do not hide Your face from me, Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not abandon me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation! For my father and my mother have forsaken me, But the Lord will take me up. Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me in a level path Because of my foes. Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries, For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence. I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.

David prays to the Lord and it grounds him with confident trust. Prayer begins with desperation; Prayer seeks God’s face; Prayer remembers God’s past faithfulness; Prayer asks for guidance in danger; Prayer renews confidence. Prayer may not change the situation but it changes your posture; It turns you back toward the God who holds you steady.