Hobart Herd Devotional – Psalms 27 – 5-27-20
There is a distinct confidence that comes from our faith in the Lord and His loving protection over our lives. David starts of this Psalm with very confident statements of faith in the Lord’s ability to protect him and defeat his enemies. As I read the first 3 verses, I think that with this kind of faith, I would never have any fears or concerns. The secret to staying in this confident faith is found in verses 4-6; Psalms 27:4-6, 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. 5 For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock. 6 And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me; and I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.(NAS) When I am in the heart of worship and truly desire to be in His presence, singing praises to the Lord, it is easy to remain confident in His presence and power in my life.
Some have asked, why do we really need to gather together again in a building? Isn’t the church the believers, not a building? The answer to this is that while the church is the people, the Body of Christ, we need an opportunity to worship, encourage and strengthen one another in our faith in order to be confident in the Lord. If there is one thing I have become aware of during this time of distancing, it is my need for fellowship and worship together to keep my faith strong.
The real proof comes from the remaining verses of this chapter. Immediately after these strong confident statements and worship come the fears and doubts. David begins to pray that God would remember him and protect him and not forsake him and allow his enemies to be victorious over him. He prays that God would teach him the ways of the Lord and keep him on the right path. Verse 13 starts off with the words, “I would have despaired”. What kept him from despair? Ps 27:13 …unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD.(NAS)
I think these verses remind me that no matter how strong and confident I am in the Lord, I will never be beyond the weight of discouragement and despair. In this world of trouble, trial, tragedy, it is easy to lose sight of the Lord and become despondent. I need the encouragement of seeing the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living and simply wait for the Lord to set things right again.
Father, thank you for the confident faith that I can have through the gift of Your Son. I want to live in confident faith, but find it so easy to take my eyes off of You and find despair setting into my heart. Forgive me when I think that You are not here and that You care for me. Help me to reset my faith and trust in You. Show me Your goodness in the land of the living and give me the strength to wait on You. In Jesus name, Amen! Pastor Rob