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Scripture for the day: Psalm 27:1 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?
Thought for the day: Here’s the devotional thought for the day: I want you to go back to your Bible and read the 27th Psalm again – yes, all of it. But this time reflect on the ideas contained therein. Let me help you.
1. Verse 2 – who are your enemies? Please try to refrain from naming names, keeping in mind that no matter how you may be treated by another human being, that person is not your enemy; Satan is the enemy. But what else in your life is an enemy? Could it be health issues, financial difficulties, relationships that just don’t seem to get better – you name them, count them one by one.
2. Now read verse 3 – note the words David uses here concerning fear and confidence. Apply them to your situation.
3. Let’s go on; verse 4 – what’s the desire of the heart? How does that relate to verse 3? Oh, and didn’t Jesus say, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you” – peace, joy, confidence, victory?
4. Verses 5-6 – claim the results of seeking first His kingdom – shelter beneath the everlasting arms of the Lord and solid footing upon which to stand as the storms of life rage about us, and a reason to sing while the whole world mourns.
5. Verse 7 – who are you talking to when you cry out in the storm?
6. Verses 8-10 – take note of the progression of thought here. First comes the call of God to seek His face. Second comes the diligent seeking on our part. Third comes the assurance of His presence. This has always been the call of God to His people. Didn’t He say through the prophet Jeremiah, “You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity” (Jeremiah 29:13-14).
7. Verses11-12 – note the cry of the heart that has made contact with the Savior: “teach me your way.” Why is that? Could it be that heart has realized the place of sanctuary? Could it be that the heart surrendered, the heart fastened to the Lord God has learned to trust in the goodness of the Lord, regardless of the circumstances? Take a few minutes to focus on your own situations right now, then go on to…
8. Verse 13 – what a tremendous reminder of where we’re headed! Remember, David, though anointed king by Samuel, didn’t always have an easy time of it. He was hunted down and persecuted by Saul, forced to live in caves in the wilderness, feign mental illness to avoid being killed by the Philistines, and driven out of Jerusalem by his own son who was trying to take his throne from him. Through it all he clung desperately to the truth that our God is a good God and that our God has promised: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
9. Now let’s finish up (and this is the most difficult part of this whole chapter). P-A-T-I-E-N-C-E!! Wait on the Lord; it’s not your timing that really matters. It’s not your agenda that is of utmost importance. His place is to take care of his own, to provide the ultimate goodness he’s promised. Our place is to wait patiently while he does so. Our place is to “be of good courage,” trusting in his goodness and good will. Our place is to allow him to complete the work he is doing in us that our hearts may be strengthened.
“Wait, I say, on the Lord.”
Now go take on your world. - Bill