Psalm 27. Quite possibly my favorite Psalm out all 150 of them. I turn to this one when I feel down and depressed, confused, lonely. But I also look to it when I just want to express my feeling of secureness and joy in Christ.
"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? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident." (vs 1- 3)
So, I'm not King David. I don't have thousands and thousands of people trying to kill me. I don't think that anyone hates me... At least, I hope not! But I've read all of them Psalms in the last two weeks, and I think that God showed something to me. Though I may not have mortal, human enemies trying to kill me, I do have an enemy that wants to destroy me in anyway he can. Paul says in Ephesians that "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." The Enemy often attacks through our weaknesses - fear that we aren't good enough, skinny enough, strong enough, smart enough. Sometimes he uses other people through lies, rumors, and physical abuse. He tells us that we have no hope, that we are alone, forgotten. But what I see in this Psalm is the exact opposite! God is telling us that He will be our light, salvation and stronghold. We don't have to believe the lies because we can be confident in our Redeemer's unfailing love!
"One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: 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 seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock." (vs 4-5)
Ahhh. That's not literally all I can say, but it really is. Imagine dwelling the presence of God, the Creator of the world, the Holy Romancer of mankind, everyday, all day. No interruptions, no phones, no facebook, no hurting friends, no busy schedule. Just to gaze upon Jesus. Fixing our eyes on the most beautifully perfect thing we will ever see. And not only to just be in His presence, but to know that He is keeping me safe from anything that wants to hurt me or separate me from my Love. I desire to be with my Jesus so badly.
I love it when the word "hide" comes up in the Bible. The verses with that word generally become one of my favorites. I love the idea, the truth, that God hides me. I am always reminded of the hymn He Hideth My Soul: "He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock that shadows a dry, thirsty land. He hideth my life in the depths of His love, and covers me there with His hand." Imagining that Christ is hiding me under His wing is probably the most comforting promise that I hold on to. I compare it to when I hug a friend who is way bigger and stronger than I am; I just kind of get lost in it. I'm suddenly shielded from anything because they have become my really warm human shield. I think that's what God does when hides us. It's something that I cling to everyday.
Not only will He keep us safe and hide us, He "sets us high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord."
He will exalt us above the enemy! When we are faced with a temptation or are shot down by a lie or rumor about us, if we seek the presence of God, He will exalt us above all of the earthly garbage. He lifts us above it! We can sing praises and be filled with joy because our Lord is greater than anything down here.
"Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, Lord I will seek."
I don't know what to say beyond that. My heart tells me to seek Him. My desire for Jesus burns in me. I don't want to ever be satisfied with where I am in my relationship with Him. I will seek Him.
"Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me."
The fear that God won't be there with me is one that I struggle with. It's an irrational fear, a trust issue. But He promises that He will never leave me or forsake me. And why would He? He gave His only Son to redeem me. He paid the highest price so that I could have a never-ending relationship with Him! Why would He forsake His own?
"Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence."
It's so hard not to give in to the lies of society. As cliche as it may be. There are so many lies that are forced upon us - lies about real beauty, futures, money, etc. But God will teach us through His truth and tell us who we really are in Him.
"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
Wait confidently.
