When I Think About the Lord, We Praise You, Infinitely Glorious, Better Than, The Lord is My Salvation / Goodness of God

What are the latest headlines in the world that makes you worry?

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread?
² When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,
My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.
³ Though a host encamp against me,
My heart will not fear;
Though war arise against me,
In spite of this I shall be confident.

⁴ 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.

Fear and worry are some of our greatest problems. We usually worry about financial security, our family, careers, and even our health. God’s heart for us in this matter is shown in Paul’s perspective (Philippians 4:6-7) – we are to be anxious for nothing, but in everything choose to pray and give thanks to God even for the challenges, and His peace will be upon us! But we do worry from time to time, and we must process this. We’ll look at how David dealt with his fear through the wonderful Psalm 27. Here we see a very personal connection with God (v.1) – He is his light, salvation, and defense! He further writes about the confidence in the midst of danger (vv. 2-3). True Prayer Drives Out Fear – so how do we pray this way?

ANCHORS IN GOD’S CHARACTER

When you have problems, don’t focus on the problems immediately. Choose to focus on God. The temptation is to look at problems rather than look up to God. David declared that when he is afraid, he will trust in the Lord and put his trust in Him (Psalm 56:3-4). Faith and fear are on opposite spectrums. We must choose to have faith in the goodness and power of our God!

God’s characteristics mentioned by David in the first verses were the same descriptions that Jesus used when introducing Himself (ex. John 8:12, I am the Light of the world). David had serious problems when this psalm was written. God was his Guide in times of trouble. We must remember that David was going to be king, but he did not become one immediately. King Saul loved him and even mentored and trained him but became jealous of David, to the point that he wanted to kill him. At one point, David had the opportunity to kill and retaliate against Saul – but he decided that he will not stretch out his hand against the Lord’s anointed (1 Samuel 24:10). He knew the command of God, to respect his leader.

David anchors his prayers on God’s character. He surrendered to God’s will and was not going to take things into his own hands (1 Samuel 24:12, 15). Our tendency is to take things into our own hands and disobey God’s commandments to satisfy our brewing frustration and anger. The root problem of fear is our desire for control. David was able to surrender to the will and timing of God and fought against this tendency. He knew that God was guiding him and so he stuck with God’s Word (Psalm 119:105). To believe and not obey is not really believing. Remember, God is our defender (Romans 8:31-32)! Satan’s ploy is for us to doubt the love of God.

Our past can be redeemed by God. We need to trust and anchor our prayers in His characteristics. Eventually, Saul died in his own volition, and David did not have to harm him at all. David knew God’s character and standards, he overcame his many troubles by continuing to trust in the Lord.

SEEKING GOD’S PRESENCE

Verse 4 tells us the ONE THING that David sought. He did not ask God to remove his problems or prayed that Saul will be gone so he could be king. David’s “one thing” – his purpose in life was not to be king, but that he may dwell in the house of the Lord and behold the beauty of God in His temple. The greatest blessing for David is God’s presence, and desired for nothing else apart from Him (Psalm 16:11). This was his entire preoccupation: to worship and behold the beauty of God. If we do not know God, we will not worship God. The heart and ability to know God is still by the grace of God; blessed is the one “You choose and bring near to you” (Psalm 65:4) – we are not brought to God by accident. He is purposeful in drawing us in to dwell and exist with Him!

The reality of death has to be faced, and it affects a man’s view of life, of God, and of eternity (Oswald Chambers). Paul did not know whether he was going to live or die when he wrote that for him, “to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).  David thought about what you’re assured of in God’s presence (Psalm 27:5-6) –protection, security, victory, and everything that he will ever need! David talks to God and runs hard after Him (Psalms 27:7-8). It shows that intimacy with God is upon God’s invitation. God promised He will be found when we seek Him with all our heart (Jeremiah 29:13).

KEEPS WAITING IN FAITH

When we pursue God, it does not exempt us from problems (Psalm 27:9-10). David asked that God not hide, turn, and abandon him. It is a desperate cry to God. So great is God’s love for us that though people can disappoint us (Isaiah 49:15-16), God will not abandon. David’s waiting was not in passivity, but in active obedience and trust in the Lord (Psalm 27:11-12). Oswald Chamber said, “Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you cannot understand at the time.” The last sentences of this psalm show us that even if our prayers are not answered, we choose to WAIT for the Lord and keep trusting Him (vv. 13-14).  Waiting for God is not a delay – it is a preparation for greater blessing.  Faith grows strong when we choose to wait, not because we have answers, but because we trust God’s heart. David wrote in another psalm where he speaks of the goodness and sufficiency of the Lord (Psalm 34:8,10). We shall never be in want of any good thing because He Himself is good! David did not succumb to his worries and fears; he knew the endgame and trusted the promises of God! God promised us a glorious destiny, and that is why we can keep waiting in faith – THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

Pray for those you know who are filled with worry and fear. Pray for them and with them.

Share Christ with them and teach the Bible to them so they can focus on God and His word instead of what worries them.

• Worship God for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do in our lives.

• Upright and moral governance of public servants; repentance and salvation for government leaders and citizens for a Christ-centered Philippines.

• For legislators to promote and support bills and laws aligned with God’s Word.

• War in Ukraine to end, loss of lives prevented.

• For the rest of the Israeli hostages to be restored to their families safely. For Israel’s war with terrorists to end according to God’s purpose and for His glory.

• Pray for Jewish people worldwide who are experiencing a surge of antisemitism; may this lead them to the Messiah, Jesus as they turn to God for help and comfort.

• For protection of Iranian, Syrian and Lebanese Christians and other minorities, and freedom from oppression. Pray for the gospel to spread rapidly throughout their region.

• Pray for Sudan and persecuted Christians there; earnestly seek God’s intervention to stop the bloodshed. Pray for freedom from oppression, that God’s word and His people bring them comfort and hope.

• Earthquake victims in Burma, Thailand, other countries.

• That CCF Members would honor and love God and make disciples.

• Elders, pastors, dleaders, and families (holy, humble, harmonious, happy, heart-working).

• Ministries and churches expand worldwide.

• Worship and Training Center

• Prayer Mountain

• Deeper intimate relationship with God.

• Righteous living.

• Salvation of family and friends.

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