Daily Dose of the Word of God - Psalm 27

Erin Pacheco, Director of Worship

Transcript

Erin Pacheco  0:06

 
Welcome to Elmhurst CRC’s Daily Dose of the Word of God.  It’s Friday, February 20, but Sunday is coming. I’m Erin Pacheco.  Each Friday we’ll listen to the voice of the Psalms, which teach us to pray and point us to Jesus. Today’s passage comes from Psalm 27.

Erin Pacheco 0:27  

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? Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent     and set me high upon a rock. I remain 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

Erin Pacheco  1:14  

What beautiful words of faith and assurance! I love the idea of God hiding me away when trouble comes. The Lord is my light in the darkness, my salvation when I need saving, and my stronghold — my defense against attack. Whom shall I fear?   This psalm of David is an expression of deep confidence in the Lord.   But that doesn’t mean that life is easy. Psalm 27 also acknowledges the truth that we often know all too well: Even the seasoned saints, who are held and loved by God, face troubles of all kinds. David himself spent years running for his life and hiding in the wilderness, and he faced some very real and scary battles.   “Though an army besiege me… Though war break out against me… “ Though even my father and mother forsake me… When there is every reason to be afraid…. Even then I will be confident.  When we receive that diagnosis. When friends and family fail us. When the world feels like it’s falling apart.   Even then. Whom shall I fear?   In times of trouble, Psalm 27 leads us into deeper faith and confidence — to a point where we can say, even in the midst of the trial, “I am sure I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”   There’s a nod here to resurrection, to hope beyond the grave, to a future home of safety and goodness and life. If you don’t see it yet, just wait. “Be strong, and take heart, and wait for the Lord.”  What a good reminder in this season of Lent, as we follow Jesus on the long road that leads first to the cross and the grave, and then to the brightness of Easter morning. 

Erin Pacheco  3:39

  
Let’s pray. God, we are often afraid. Remind us that you are always in control and always on time, even when we don’t see it. Help us to wait on you for life and hope, with confidence that we will see your goodness in the land of the living. Amen.