Tonkawa,
For the next 5 weeks, we’ll walk through Psalm 27, a Psalm of David that guides the believer to “look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13).”
What is the first instruction to see God in glory? It’s this: In the worst circumstances, remember God.
Consider David’s circumstances from the Psalm.
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? (v1)”
That David calls upon the Lord as “light” presupposes darkness, doesn’t it?
We hate darkness. I’ll play in the ocean all day, but once the sun goes down; once I can’t see if what just passed by my leg is seaweed or snake, I’m out!
However, in a present evil age, darkness comes and we need instruction to endure it..
And what is that instruction? Remember the Lord who is your light and your salvation!
The Lord has no issue in dealing with darkness. David knows Genesis 1 and thinks “Ok, if God speaks and light “is” bring on all the dark.Though I feel vulnerable and cannot see what’s around me, if God is my light, whom shall I fear?”
David’s next circumstances are his enemies.
“The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. (v2)”
On the way to the land of the living, believers will endure enemies. “All men will hate you because of me”, said Jesus.
And when we endure these things, we remember, the Lord is our stronghold.
And even if our flesh were hacked away and eaten raw, in a great reversal it is our enemies who will stumble and fall. Verses 3 and 5 tell the same story:
Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. Teach me your way, 0 LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. (v3-5,11)”
But for some, none of those are quite as potent as David’s last circumstance: abandonment.
“Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will take me in (v13)”
On the way to the land of the living, we will encounter darkness, enemies, and even abandonment ...
