In general, the Psalms give us an understanding of how we can trust God, even in the most difficult times, they give the image of an Almighty God and an impenetrable fortress. Psalm 27 brings an uplifting message about God's protective nature, which enlightens us, gives us security, and delivers us from all evil.
Psalm 27 - Whom shall I fear?
Psalm 27 was written by David, Israel's most famous king. But before he became king, David faced many dangers. As a shepherd, David protected his flock from attacks by wild animals such as a bear and a lion. At a young age, he faced the giant Goliath and won!
David suffered several assassination attempts, lived on the run, was pursued by armies and fought in many battles. His life was constantly threatened, he had no rest and lived under threat. Think about the extent of David's stress.
But despite all this, David trusted in God. He knew that the Lord was with him, protecting him at all times. That's why he wrote Psalm 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?2 When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.4 One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on 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 sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his 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,
God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, 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,
spouting malicious accusations.13 I remain 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.
Psalm 27:1-14
The reason for our trust
God is the faithful Protector of His people, so despite every fear and affliction you face, cry out to the Lord! He is always there to deliver you, so He can be your refuge in the midst of trouble.
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?
Psalm 27:1 (KJV)
David faced great dangers and challenges, such that anyone alone would fear and perhaps not be able to overcome. But he knew that God is far greater than the dangers! The Lord is above the greatest giants and problems!
We can often feel that the problems we face are impossible to solve. Everything seems to be against us. But if God is on our side, we have no reason to be afraid! Nothing is impossible for God. When He is with us, we can even face an army with confidence.
You'll also like: Psalms for Protection and Deliverance From Evil
A place of safety: the presence of the Lord
God has a safe place for you! In the hiding place of the Most High you can hide when the horrors of life make you fearful. Dwell in God's house, feed on the Word and seek guidance from above.
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 beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.
Psalm 27:4 (KJV)
In times of trouble, David took refuge in God's presence. The temple represented God's presence, where everyone could approach and be blessed, and there he found victory.
God's presence gives peace and relief in life's most difficult moments. Nothing else can give us such deep peace. When we can't cope with the world, we can flee to God's presence and find the strength we need to overcome all our problems.
God hears the cry
The Lord is a loving and merciful Father. He never abandons those who trust in his great favor. Even if important people abandon you, God will always support you with love, because God is love.
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.
Psalm 27:10 (KJV)
When he felt insecure or afraid, David cried out to God! He knew that he could do nothing on his own, so he needed God, since no one else could save him.
Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
Psalm 27:14 (KJV)
Knowing how to wait isn't easy, especially when the urgencies of life cause us so much anxiety and stress. But in this text, we see the psalmist drawing the readers attention to what was the priority: "Wait on God, be encouraged, strengthen your heart and finally, wait on the Lord".
These recommendations are good reminders for all of us today. Reflect on these points:
- "Wait For the Lord": This part of the verse reminds us of the importance of trusting in God and His plan, even when we face difficult or uncertain situations. Waiting on the Lord means trusting that He is in control and that He will do what is best for us, even if the current circumstances seem to say otherwise.
- "Be strong": Here, we are encouraged not to get discouraged, give up or lose faith. Instead, we should find strength and encouragement in God. He is our real source of joy. Even if things seem difficult, faith gives us the hope and courage we need to keep going.
- "And take heart": This passage reminds us that strengthening our heart, that is, our faith and inner confidence, is fundamental. We can strengthen our hearts through prayer, meditation on Scripture, and cultivating a closer relationship with God.
- "And wait for the Lord": The verse ends by reinforcing the main idea. We must wait patiently on the Lord, not rushing into quick solutions or trying to solve everything ourselves. Instead, we should trust in God, knowing that He is faithful and will fulfill His promises at the right time.
We all feel insecure at times in our lives. When this happens, we need to cry out to God for help, and God always hears those who put their trust in him. He doesn't abandon us in our hour of need. Trust in the Lord!
We can always trust in God, because he never fails!