SOUNDING OUT:
Psalm 27
The psalmist declares his confidence
in God because he knows Who his Lord is. Personal knowledge
of God can make one fearless regardless of circumstance.
Psalm 27:1
{A Psalm of David.}
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?
2 When the wicked, even
mine enemies and my
foes, came upon me to eat up my
flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though an host should
encamp against me, my
heart shall not fear: though war should rise against
me, in this will I
be confident.
Verses two and three show
how past deliverance, breeds confidence in God’s
future provision. He knew The Lord personally as his
light, salvation, and strength. When we know the
Lord is… there is no reason to fear. Doesn’t
Paul encourage us with similar assurance, "If God
be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)
Remember Psalms 124:1,2 from last week? “The Lord
was on our side….” It certainly makes a
difference to know the Lord is my….
The Psalmist first sounds forth his sure confidence
in God (verses 1-3), and then he boldly declares his
love of fellowship or communion with Him (verses 4-6).
Psalm 27:4-6:
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.
5 For in the time of trouble
he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his
tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon
a rock.
6 And now shall mine head
be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore
will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I
will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
With singleness of mind
David focuses his desire, and that genuine desire inspires
him to action. Unless desires are sown in the good soil
of activity, they will yield no harvest. He seeks communion
with God. He longs to behold His beauty and have his
heartfelt questions answered. He wants relationship.
How wonderful that God wants it with us, also.
Next David cries to the Lord , expressing his
longing for God to teach and lead him.
Psalm 27:7-12:
Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also
upon me, and answer me.
8 When
thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee,
Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
9 Hide not thy face far
from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast
been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God
of my salvation.
10 When my father and my
mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
11 Teach me thy
way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of
mine enemies.
12 Deliver me not over unto
the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen
up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
Verse eight teaches us
how to apply our hearts unto wisdom — we do what
He asks. We know His Word is His will so we gladly perform
it. Note that the command was in the plural, to all
God’s people, ”Seek ye,” but David
made it singular by personal application, “Thy
face, Lord, will I seek.” Notice too, the when;
“when thou saidst,” then my heart was
moved to an obedient reply. Observe also the promptness
of the response — no sooner said than done; as
soon as God said "seek," the heart said, "I
will seek." That’s the prothumos
kind of readiness that sets us on fire for God that
we looked at several weeks ago. Neither did David pray
to be indulged with his own way, but he implored the
Lord to teach him His way. He wanted a plain, clear
path to walk. He sounds like a man after my own heart,
too.
Psalm 27:13,14:
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see
the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14 Wait on the LORD: be
of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart:
wait, I say, on the LORD.
Believing is the antidote
to faintheartedness. David acknowledges the power of
belief in God’s promises, and then exhorts others
to follow his example. We do not have to travel alone.
God is our companion, and He will strengthen us on our
way. e same
family and being relatively close in age sets a stage for
family members to compete for admiration, attention, benefits,
and even love.
Certainly a little healthy competition is wholesome at times,
but applying basic Christian principles is vital to keeping
it in balance. Teach and insist that the members of your
family recognize:
- God loves EVERYONE in your family
- we are all saved by grace not of works, lest anyone
should boast (Ephesians
2:8-9).
- NEVER render evil for evil, but follow
that which is good - no paybacks
(I
Thessalonians 5:15).
- Every talent or "gift"
that family members have is valuable, and we all need
each other to be our best for God (I
Corinthians 12:14-25).
- If a family member is going through
a hard time, we are to empathize with them, (not allow
envy or jealousy to make us glad), and if a family member
is being honored, we are to rejoice with them, (not
allow a competitive spirit to make us feel envious or
negative about their honor) (I
Corinthians 12:26). Parents can assist in this by
being sharp to appreciate the talents of younger or
less conspicuously talented children to make sure their
contributions don't go unnoticed, while not neglecting
to also appreciate the more obvious shining stars. EVERYONE
thrives on attention.
- Iron sharpens iron (Proverbs
27:17) - and some competition and critique is good
if the purpose is to sharpen and not to put down or
brag about superiority.
- Proverbs
16:18 warns that "Pride goeth before destruction.
And a haughty spirit before a fall". If competition
is based on pride, watch out.
-
Don't encourage comparisons
in the family - EVERYONE'S standard is Christ. "Why
can't you be more like..." is never helpful ( I
Corinthians 10:12).
Diligently
enforcing a disciplined attitude of love in the family
will increase peace and joy in your house. Even the family's
prosperity can benefit because time and energy are not
wasted on negative emotions and profitless actions.
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