" There will be times in our lives when the pressures of life test us. It is then that our faith's affirmation is established and strengthened. These tests do not always occur all at once, and sometimes we don't even recognize them as tests because they are so subtle. Other times, tests are clear and obvious. Even when these events happen to us and cause fear, our hope and confidence must remain in the Lord. That is what this psalm of David is about.
His communication with the Lord establishes the foundation of prayer: "The Lord is my Light and my Salvation." Then there is his meditation on prayer: "One thing have I desired of the Lord..." The declaration of prayer is expressed in the words, "Hear, O Lord..., Thy face will I seek..., Hide not Thy face..." The understanding of prayer's effect is seen in the last verse of the psalm.
This psalm starts with joyful confidence and unconditional trust in the Lord. He has nothing to fear because the Lord is "my Light and my Salvation." God provides encouragement and confidence regardless of circumstances. The Lord not only gives understanding, but because He is Light, everything is exposed before Him. Nothing is hidden. He is my Salvation, reassuring me that my preservation depends on His power. Nothing can prevent what He ordains. He is also "the strength of my life," showing that we are not powerless in the face of obstacles. Outer circumstances cannot break unconditional trust in the Lord. The word "my" personalizes all these descriptions of the Lord. He is present for protection and when confidence is needed.
We have nothing to fear when our confidence is in the Lord, not others or ourselves. Fear can make us prisoners. There are several different things that only our trust in the Lord can conquer. Fear of rejection can paralyze us so much that we are afraid to do anything. Fear of misunderstanding can cause us to stop doing what we are already doing. Fear of sickness brings many "what ifs" to our minds. Fear of uncertainty or making mistakes causes us to pull back when we should be moving forward in serving the Lord. Even the fear of death makes us hesitate lest we "go too far." The Lord is our light and salvation, just as He was to David. Even if or when we are slandered, as long as we live in the awareness of the Lord's presence, we do not need to fear.
I have often asked myself, "What really and truly is the greatest desire of my life?” When I think about the "house of the Lord," the image of the temple or tabernacle comes to mind, but even those God-designed places cannot contain the presence of the Lord. The presence of God is not limited to a place because the Lord's presence is with His people "who call upon Him out of a pure heart." Access to the Lord at any time is one of our greatest joys. Mercy and grace are always available. "All the days of my life" signifies that this is an everyday experience in which we find needed guidance and help, to not only go where He wants us to go but also do what He wants us to do. He gives us the strength to do what is needed, with the right understanding and in the right way. First, we need to know God's will. That comes from our desire for and communion with God. We have access to the "secret" of His dwelling place— the mercy seat, the inner place that has been opened to us by the work of our Lord. When we find ourselves there, we sing His praises and offer the sacrifices of joy.
Suddenly, the tone of the psalm shifts, and David's words seem to express anxious fear. "Hear, O Lord," marks a change from trust and triumph to distress and despair. He has been forsaken and rejected by those close to him. If you feel forsaken, remember that the Lord is there to do for us what we cannot do ourselves. He takes responsibility for His children. We find mercy through prayer. Seeking the Lord's face is what He desires from us and what the earnest, prayerful person seeks from Him. When our joy is lost, we must call upon Him in prayer with urgency. Our thoughts and will respond to the God of my salvation with faith.
David did not want to bring any embarrassment to the Lord, nor do we. A good testimony before those around us keeps us from being at the mercy of those who oppose God's truth. More than that, losing fellowship with someone who has experienced the joy of the Lord as their strength is unbearable. For us, the love of the Lord is enough when everything else seems to be gone. Even while living through trials, we can stay confident in our Lord. Pressure always comes on those who are led in "the plain path" not to be so narrow-minded. "There are many ways of looking at the same thing, or even the same passage of scripture," some people say.
When taught in the Lord's way, the truth remains pure, and the path is straightforward. We should never find ourselves in a place where we forget the depth of the Lord's love and care for us. A favorable response to David's prayer lifted his eyes and heart above the false witnesses to where he could honestly "believe" and "wait" in confidence for the Lord to do what was needed. Faith in the Lord encourages more faith. The goodness of the Lord can be seen wherever we look. So rather than being fainthearted, we can find our strength in the Lord when our "heart has stayed on Thee."
Waiting times are some of the most difficult experiences we face in life. But we trust that God is in control, so we must wait for His timing and guidance. If we approach waiting the right way, we can find ourselves refreshed and guided in the proper ways of the Lord as we listen to what He teaches us.
PSALM 27. Wait on the Lord; fearless trust in the Lord. This psalm can be applied to the arrest and trial of the Lord Jesus Christ. v. 1-3. CONFIDENCE IN GOD Light that cannot be put out. He has nothing to fear because of the Lord’s strength. He is safe in the hands of the Lord despite the enemies. He is confident of God’s protection. The Lord in the garden, when they came to capture Him: “The Lord is my light…” God was His light. “Came upon Me…” They fell back on the ground. “A host should encamp…” His desire was the path of God’s leading. v. 4-6. WORSHIP OF GOD The will of God comes first. This is where I can serve God, no matter the problem. God’s fullness is there; communion with God is there. I can dwell with God where He lives and enjoy fellowship, privacy, and safety near Him. Here, such blessings cause me to offer my sacrifices of joy. We are assured of a place of restored blessing here. “One thing have I desired…” He knew the way to glory was by the cross. “In the time of trouble…” His heart was resting on God. “My head lifted up…” He knew the desire of the enemies would fail. v. 7-10. God answers those who express their need. We are told to come into His presence. “My heart said unto Thee, let my face seek Thy face. My face is toward Thee – let Thy face be turned toward me.” Parents were protectors for a time; the Lord is my Protector always. “Hear, O Lord…” He was forsaken by all others v. 11-13. GOODNESS OF GOD Teach so my heart will submit to Thy will; enemies are watching to see if I fail. Expose their wickedness; don’t let them get what they want from me. Leave out the italics – “What would have happened to me?” “Teach me Thy way…” The mob cried for His crucifixion. v.14. TRUST IN GOD All who are distressed – learn from my example. This is like personal advice from the Lord’s experiences in trusting in His God.