The Light and Salvation

Psalm 27 (NLT)

¹ The LORD is my light and my salvation–

          so why should I be afraid?

   The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger,

          so why should I tremble?

² When evil people come to devour me,

          when my enemies and foes attack me,  

          they will stumble and fall.

³ Though a mighty arm surrounds me,

          my heart will not be afraid.

   Even if I am attacked,

          I will remain confident.

⁴ The one thing I ask of the LORD–

          the thing I seek most–

   is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,

          delighting in the LORD's perfections

          and meditating in his Temple.

⁵ For he will conceal me there when troubles come;

          he will hide me in his sanctuary.

          He will place me out of reach on a high rock.

⁶ Then I will hold my head high

          above my enemies who surround me.

  At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,

          singing and praising the LORD with music.

⁷ Hear me as I pray, O LORD.

          Be merciful and answer me!

⁸ My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me."

          And my heart responds, "LORD, I am coming."

⁹ Do not turn your back on me.

          Do not reject your servant in anger.

          You have always been my helper.

Don't leave me now; don't abandon me,

          O God of my salvation!

¹⁰ Even if my father and mother abandon me,

          the LORD will hold me close.

¹¹ Teach me how to live, O LORD.

          Lead me along the right path,

          for my enemies are waiting for me.

¹² Do not let me fall into their hands.

          For they accuse me of things I've never done;

          with every breath they threaten me with violence.

¹³ Yet I am confident I will see the LORD's goodness

          while I am here in the land of living.

¹⁴ Wait patiently for the LORD.

          Be brave and courageous.

          Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

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The LORD is my light and my salvation–so why should I be afraid?
The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?

The psalmist, David, faced a lot of struggles during his lifetime. Though he has conquered many battles, king Saul wanted to kill him because he was loved by most people and their hearts were already turning to David from their king.  But despite of multiple threats, David has never forgotten his SAVIOR and FORTRESS, in whom he can find safety and security. God reminds him that when he call on His name, he has a defense and righteousness that comes with victory. When we understand that God is our Defender, we know that we can stand firm at the end of the line because He is the One fighting the battle for us.

One thing I ask of the LORD–
the thing I seek most–
is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
delighting in the LORD's perfections and meditating in his Temple.

To be in His house "all the days of my life" has more worth than to be in anywhere else. To delight in the Lord and be in His presence cannot be compared to the bodily desires that ought to bring us pleasure but fails to satisfy our innermost being. No one and nothing can satisfy us but only the One who has every good thing in His hands.

At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,

singing and praising the LORD with music.

Why should we praise and worship God? Since the earth was created, it is the purpose of mankind; to give praise to the Creator. To rejoice and make music in the Lord is to honor and glorify Him for all that He has done.

My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me."
And my heart responds, "LORD, I am coming."

Many times I tried to walk away and hardened my heart as a stone whenever I fail to do something ought to be done. I would inflict myself with curses and bury myself to the ground. But there would always be the tiny voice calling, "Come and talk with me." I then find my heart responding, "LORD, I am coming." Its original Hebrew line is translated to "Seek His face". The word 'seek' comes from the Hebrew word 'baqash' which originally means to search out or to strive after. So when we come to the Lord, we strive after Him. We come to him with longing, wanting to see Him face to face.

Wait patiently for the LORD.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

Remember that His promises are faithful. Whatever He said, it is TRUE. Trust in Him and "wait patiently" for what He has planned for you. His Word says that He is not slow in His promises, even He is waiting patiently for everyone to believe. Whatever hard times you face, be brave and courageous. He is our Defender, our "light and salvation." Just have faith; have the assurance of hope for the One that is unseen, and you will see it.