Psalm 27. One of my favourite psalms

Psalm 27. I love it. This psalm. What with my propensity to fall into anxiety and depression, it gives me a lot of strength. 

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" verse 1.

Fear. It comes unbidden. It may come softly, or it may come as a roar. But however it comes, the word of God is my light and my salvation. Indeed, it is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).

"Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah" (Psa 46:2-3).

Yea, I will not fear. I will not be afraid. Has he not told me so? Has he not told you so? "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness" (Isa 41:10). 

"When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell." verse 2. Our chief enemy is the devil. But David here is speaking of a real physical enemy. His chief enemy was King Saul. We too have physical enemies. God knows them. Our other enemies are unseen, like fear. We fight, but the battle is the Lord's. "But I encouraged myself in the LORD" says David in the book of Samuel. We encourage ourselves every time we read his word or pray.

"Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident." Ps 27:3. That's my God. That's my confidence. Who is your confidence in times of trouble? In God is my victory. "Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies" (Psa 60:12).  

David's chief desire was for his God always. May God be my chief desire too! "One thing have I desired 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 enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock" (Psa 27:4-5).  

Therefore will my life be filled with joy. I choose it. I command it. "And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD (Psa 27:6). Making joy is a sacrifice. It doesn't come easy. 

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Rom 12:1-2). 

    I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD! 

            Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.  

Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Psa 100:1-3 

"I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD (Psa 27:13-14).

Yea, it comes to that, it may come to that, wanting to faint, wanting to give up. But sing! Make praise! Nothing lifts the heart like praise. I forget me. I forget everything and life becomes only about God. Hasn't he said he will never leave me nor forsake me? His promises! His promises! Yea. God means every word. I believe that. Do you? 

I shall triumph in his joy always!