“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?” (Psalm 27:1).
King David, a man of triumphant faith, wrote this Psalm. In it he declares something of great importance to him as well as Christians today.
David makes it known; “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”
The Lord Himself is the light. No need to be afraid of the dark. The Lord is the stronghold means a refuge from life’s storms.
William MacDonald writes this about David: “God was his light as the darkness settled in. God was his salvation, that is, His Deliverer from earthly enemies. God was the stronghold of his life, a refuge in the time of storm. With such protection, he need not be afraid of anyone” (Believer’s Bible Commentary p. 585 Thomas Nelson Publishers).
Fear is the direct opposite of peace. And true peace is only available from God. Perhaps there is a human tendency to be fearful. But by God’s intervention, peace will prevail.
Continuing in Psalm 27, David says, “When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident” (vs. 2,3).
God stood ready to rescue David even in the presence of his enemies and David could attest to God’s protection when he said his adversaries and foes would stumble and fall. David also says my heart shall not fear though war arise against me.
It is certainly not God’s intent that His children should live in fear. In Isaiah 41:10 God gives us this blessed assurance “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
This promise from God should enhance our faith and trust in God’s ability to do exceeding abundantly for us even more than we ask or think. He says I will strengthen you. We need to be strengthened in our faith and hope in God.
In verse 4 David suddenly transitions into the one thing he will seek after. He says “One thing have I asked 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 gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.”
In this we see David’s mind was fully made up and nothing would stop his desire to spend time in the Temple of his God. While there he would experience the beauty and nearness of the divine presence. The Temple would be the place for David to come apart and rest awhile to be refreshed with worship, wonder, love and praise to the God who is his light and his salvation.
It is essential for Christians to meet collectively in a house of worship. Hence the Bible says, “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24,25).
It tries to make my days long and dreary.
I must remember God is still on His throne;
His care and deliverance is always available;
So I will take courage and be strong in Him.
—Geoff Daniels 12/2022
One of the best ways of experiencing peace when fears abound is to “let go, and let God.” Let go of the fear by committing it to God for His intervention, which is always available. God is fully aware of all our fears. And He is the only one who is able to help us overcome them. The Scripture says, “Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
To cast your anxieties on God means He will sustain you. He will never allow His children to be moved (Psalm 55:22). Give it all up to God through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.
David concludes his Psalm with these words: “Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14).
One of the disciplines of prayer is waiting on the Lord. God’s timing is always perfect. The answers are sure to come. God will never fail or forsake His children. Keep on trusting and He will definitely come through for you.