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?
Psalm 27:1
During our lives, specifically in times of crisis, there are many ways in which each of us grows. When a crisis is over, we are able to look back in some ways with joy, over strides we have made. However, in other ways, moments of crisis expose our weaknesses, and oftentimes exacerbate some of them.
Confidence is a struggle for many people. And anxiety can erode away the confidence of even the most secure people. When I look back at the moments of my life of crisis, sometimes I can look back with joy that I was resourceful and other times I look back with regret and shame that I could have handled it differently. Even in normal life conditions, confidence is always a struggle. There is always concern about the economy and politics and how they affect the religious landscape of our country. Then there are the daily stresses of parish ministry and balancing work/family life.
This is one of the reasons why I love the Psalms so much, because they are a place we can run to when we need a boost of confidence, when we need a message of encouragement. Such is the case with Psalm 27.
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? (Psalm 27:1) If you are feeling anxious today, read this verse, over and over again. If the Lord is indeed our light, then we should not feel like darkness is closing around us. If the Lord is our stronghold, then we shouldn’t feel weak or anxious. Of course, this is easier said than done.
There is a popular Christian song/hymn entitled “On Eagle’s Wings.” Which is based on Psalm 91. The refrain says “And He will raise you up, on eagle’s wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of His Hand.” When I think of this song, I imagine a very large cushion and falling into it and having it just absorb and wrap around me. This is what I imagine it feels like to be enveloped by God as the stronghold of my life, as my salvation in times of trouble.
Psalm 27:4 reads: One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after; 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 inquire in His temple. There will always be circumstances in our lives that are beyond our control. But one thing we can do, at all times, is seek the Lord. We can dwell with the Lord in not only our churches, but in our homes, and anywhere else we invite the Lord to be with us. The Lord doesn’t need time to be good to dwell with us. In fact, my relationship with the Lord is often the strongest when the times are not good. Because it is at these times that I realize that my bank account cannot be my stronghold, nor can my house, or my health—the Lord is the stronghold of my life. And I should seek Him all the days of my life, on both the good days when it feels like I am in control, and on the bad days, when I most certainly know that I am not.
Psalm 27:13 is a good verse to affirm repeatedly. It reads: I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Many people see life from a pessimistic/glass half-empty view which erodes confidence and raises anxiety. Believing in the goodness of God takes away anxiety and builds confidence. I believe that no matter what happens in the world this year, I will see the beauty of God, in nature, in other people, in acts of kindness, and in the comfort He brings when I am anxious.
The Psalm concludes with encouragement to Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the Lord! (27:14) One of my favorite restaurants is the Cheesecake Factory. The food there is always good, the desserts are great, but the wait is usually long. I can’t tell you how many times I have been frustrated by the wait, but the frustration is quickly forgotten after I’ve enjoyed a good meal. Most of us have had this kind of experience. We wait for something and eventually our wait is rewarded.
Our lives are a blink in the span of eternity. So, while the wait may feel long, for the end of a difficult season of life, or the perpetual facing of an uncertain political or economic future, or just life in general when it feels long and less than positive, in the span of eternity it is really nothing. Once we have waited, keeping our focus on the Lord, when we are called for our “table,” just like in the restaurant, we will see that the wait was definitely worth it, because the reward will not be a temporary meal that we will eventually have to wait for again, but eternal life!
Be patient in the wait, have confidence in the Lord, and let confidence win over anxiety in your life today!
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 evildoers assail me, uttering slanders against me, my adversaries and foes, they shall stumble and fall. Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though wars arise against me, yet I will be confident. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I see after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the day of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple. 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 set me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies round about me; and I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me! Thou has said, “Seek ye My face.” My heart says to Thee, “Thy face, Lord, do I seek.” Hide not Thy face from me. Turn not Thy servant away in anger, Thou who hast been my help. Case me not off, forsake me not, O God of my salvation! For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me up. Teach me Thy way, O Lord; and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the Lord! Psalm 27
Reflection question: Where do I feel fear, and how might God be shining light into that place?
