Psalm 27
This psalm is one of my favorite ones, and the first chapter of the Bible that I memorized completely. As we look at this psalm, let’s break it into several segments. The first segment we’ll look at speaks of God’s deliverance from enemies and those that seek our harm. This is in verses 1-3, 5-7, and 12. David, the author of this psalm, knew from immense experience that God was his protector. As a youth when he was taking care of his family’s flocks of sheep, God protected him from dangerous animals, and possibly from marauding bands of thieves. David was protected by Him when he faced the giant Philistine warrior, Goliath, and following that in numerous other military battles. For many years David had to flee from the murderous plots of King Saul, and later from his own son, Absalom. He knew that God could be depended upon to keep him safe.
There are many different types of danger that we may face from day to day. Some may live in dangerous neighborhoods, and face the fear of muggers or worse. Some people’s jobs have a certain element of danger. Then there are some who are forced to live with violent spouses, parents, or other family members. Whatever the reason for the dangerous conditions, we can find, just as David did, that when we place our lives and troubles into the hands of God, trusting in Him, He will protect and deliver us. We can walk without fear. We have nothing to be afraid of because God is for us if we belong to His family.
The next segment would be found in verses 4, 8, and 11. These verses speak of David’s desire to draw close to God. He spoke of his deep wish to dwell in God’s house, beholding His beauty, and to seek His face. David wanted to be taught God’s ways, and to be led down His path.
Do we seek to live in God’s presence each day of our life? This should be the greatest desire of Christians, but sadly it isn’t for many believers. David was basically saying he wanted to move right in to God’s house, not just make an occasional visit, or stop by on a vacation. What is our desire for God like in our lives? Do we want to be with Him so much that we’d like to move in with Him, or do we prefer the shacks and slums of the world?
The next segment can be found in verses 9 and 10. This is a prayer of David, beseeching God that He not forsake him. Throughout his life, David experienced both friends and relatives that forsook him, turned their backs, and abandoned him. When he was younger David’s father, Jesse, didn’t even consider him worthy of including or even mentioning when the prophet Samuel came and asked Jesse to gather his family together (I Samuel 16:1-13). His father-in-law, King Saul, continually sought to kill him. Later his own son, Absalom, also sought to kill him, and several of his friends joined with Absalom. David did know what it was like to feel forsaken, and he did not want God to also turn away from him. We may see friends and family turn against us, just as David did, and there may be times we feel as if God has, as well. God never did forsake David, and He won’t forsake us, either. God promised in Hebrews 13:5 that He would never leave us, nor forsake us. We can trust His promises.
The last segment of Psalm 27 is verses 13 and 14. David had a strong belief that God would answer, and would deliver him. We will see His goodness in the land of the living. We need to wait on God, though, wait for His answer. We are an impatient people today, wanting everything instantly. God is not that way. He often wants us to wait on Him for His answer. That way God develops faith and perseverance in our character. We need to be sure we don’t outrun God. He wants us to slow down to His timing and His pace. God always comes through for those who wait expectantly for Him.
Circumstances change, but God’s promises do not. God loves His children, who have a covenant with Him through the Blood of Jesus, and He will protect us no matter what our situation may be. If our circumstances have gotten bad, stand on the rock of His promises.
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