“The Lord is my light and my salvation— Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the refuge and fortress of my life— Whom shall I dread? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though an army encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, Even in this I am confident. One thing I have asked of the Lord, and that I will seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, To gaze upon the beauty [the delightful loveliness and majestic grandeur] of the Lord And to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock. And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, In His tent I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; Be gracious and compassionate to me and answer me. When You said, “Seek My face [in prayer, require My presence as your greatest need],” my heart said to You, “Your face, O Lord, I will seek [on the authority of Your word].” Do not hide Your face from me, Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not abandon me nor leave me, O God of my salvation! Although my father and my mother have abandoned me, Yet the Lord will take me up [adopt me as His child]. Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me on a level path Because of my enemies [who lie in wait]. Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries, For false witnesses have come against me; They breathe out violence. I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord.”
Psalms 27:1-14 AMP
What are we looking at?
David faced some extreme adversity. Not many of us can say that we have had a deranged lunatic trying to kill us; our own family turn against us and have to hide from entire armies bent on our demise. This was David's daily reality, and yet, in the midst of that, he wrote this incredible Psalm of worship and joy of knowing God's presence.
David had experienced God's presence and deliverance as a young man watching his family's sheep. During these extended hours alone, David would worship and speak with God and realize that God was the same all the time. Whether watching sheep or running for his life, the circumstances didn't change who God was, and the enemies or problems were never too big for His grace and power.
Time and time again, in this Psalm, David poured out his desire to see God's face and dwell in His presence.
When we have challenges in our way, no matter how big or small, what/who we are looking at changes everything! We can cower in fear and dread, or we can eagerly anticipate seeing God once again reveal His goodness and mercy and turn the enemy's attack into God's triumphant victory.
Ask God if you have been looking at the wrong things. How much time do you spend focusing on what your enemies are doing, or might do, to you? Has more of your attention and devotion been on the enemy or on your incredible savior? Time devoted is devotion.
Prayer
Father God, Please give me eyes to see and ears to hear what you are doing. Thank you that I will see your goodness in the land of the living—more than anything else, I want to know your presence and your love. Please help me to give you all my love and devotion in return.
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