Psalm 27

"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?"

David knew trouble in his life. He had faced the bear and the lion and stood against Goliath when the enemies of God seemed to have the upper hand. In all of the trials that he faced, David knew the abiding presence of God would protect him and give him strength. There would be many "Goliath's" in his life but he knew the strength of God would give him the courage and faith to weather any storm.

"When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, in this I will be confident."

David pictured the enemies that sought to have his life as surrounding him and their single desire was to destroy him. His heart did not fear or tremble for his heart was kept by the presence of God. The faith of a man of God is seen when he faces the most difficult time and stands true to his Lord.

"One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: 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. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle he shall hide me; he shall set me high upon a rock."

No storm can be endured without a firm foundation or deep root of faith in God. As David stood before the giant, he boldly declared that he had been in the dwelling place of God and through that presence his strength remained firm in God. Faith is the temple of God's people and courage is house of those who seek the Lord. Dwelling in the beauty of the Lord builds great faith in the lives of the people of God.

"And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD. Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me."

The heart of David rested firmly in the love of the Lord and his joy was found not in the praise of men nor in the assaults of those who would shame him or deride him but he would sing praises to God for the glory found in those who dwell in the house of the Lord.

"When You said, 'Seek My face,' my heart said to You, 'Your face, LORD, I will seek. Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger; you have been my help; do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me."

The distraction of his enemies would turn him away from God. David sought only to do the Lord's will in his life and he needed the complete confidence of God to assure him in time of need. No matter who stood against him or deserted him, David knew that God would always be there.

"Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies."

The knowledge of God is the anchor that secures the soul. Through the word of God wisdom is attained to have patience, peace, hope and comfort. By the teaching of God, courage fills the mind to stand firm in the resolve of God's will.

"Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breathe out violence. I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living."

It is difficult when you are in the midst of a storm to believe in deliverance. David had found through experience that as long as he believed in God and trusted in Him, deliverance would come. He believed in God and was assured that he would see the face of the Lord no matter what became of him.

"Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!"

Amen.

By Kent Heaton

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