“The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. The one thing I ask of the Lord—the thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in His Temple.” Psalm 27:1-4 NLT
This is a tremendous passage of Scripture. David who wrote this Psalm did not place his confidence in his own abilities or the strength of his forces but in the LORD. The writer uses two metaphors to help us understand the reason for his delighting in the LORD.
1) Light – this pertains to the experience of salvation and the confidence we have in the joys and glorious victory God has promised to His people. God has placed within the human soul a tremendous capacity and craving for delight.
Are you a born-again believer? Have you put your trust (faith) in the LORD Jesus Christ? The Bible says that you have passed from death to life. You have been accepted and adopted into God’s family. You have a personal relationship with the Creator of heaven and earth. Are you delighting or rejoicing in the LORD?
The soul of the person described in verse 4 would categorically detest the thought of anything in his own hands diminishing the glory of what Christ has done on his/her behalf. His/her glory is to glorify the LORD, not diminish His work. It’s like the words in the old hymn – “Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling.”
2) The second metaphor he used was fortress or stronghold. The LORD is the strength of His people. He is our protector and place of refuge. He is frequently referred to in this way.
· Psalm 18:2 NLT “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.”
· Psalm 28:8 NLT “The Lord gives His people strength. He is a safe fortress for His anointed king.”
· Psalm 31:1-4 NLT “O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be disgraced. Save me, for You do what is right.
Turn your ear to listen to me; rescue me quickly. Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe. You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of Your name, lead me out of this danger.
Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me, for I find protection in You alone. Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me, for I find protection in You alone. I entrust my spirit into Your hand. Rescue me, Lord, for You are a faithful God.”
David had his share of enemies and hardships. It is obvious his confidence was in the LORD – his rock, fortress, protector. He wanted to honor the LORD’s name. He put his life in God’s hands. He did this because he knew God was faithful.
How about you? What are you facing? Are you fearful? A long-time friend called me the other day and shared that she has a very serious heart condition. She would like to live longer but she assured me that she is ready and she knows where she is going if the LORD should call her.
David looked to the greatness of the LORD, and his enemies were nothing in comparison. I love the account of Daniel’s three friends – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego found in Daniel, chapter three. King Nebuchadnezzar had erected a huge idol and made the edict that anyone who did not bow down and worship it would be cast into a red-hot furnace. These three friends were brought before the king for their refusal to bow down.
He said to them – Daniel 3:15b-17 NLT, “But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if He doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” Talk about trusting and having confidence in your God! And of course, the LORD delivered them from the fierce flames.
As we conclude this meditation, let’s zero in on verse 4, where David expresses his heart’s desire – “The one thing I ask of the Lord—the thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in His Temple.”
David delighted in the LORD’s perfections. He also delighted in the LORD’s presence. The writer is caught up and delights in the LORD’s love. We should too. Think of the greatness and goodness of His love. “For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NLT)
Listen to what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT – “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”
I think David had a desire to spend as much time in the LORD’s house and His presence as possible. Like Paul, he wanted to know God as deeply and personally as he possibly could. In Philippians 3:10-11 NLT we read – “I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead. I want to suffer with Him, sharing in His death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead.”
Do you and I hunger and thirst after righteousness (rightness with God)? Do you know the LORD as intimately as possible or are you satisfied with just a casual relationship with Him? There is so much about my Savior I want to know that I presently do not know. The best way and place for that to happen is to meet Him in the pages of His inspired Word and in prayer. Talk to Him. Listen to Him. Share your heart with Him. Lean on Him. Trust Him. Obey Him. Serve Him. Delight in Him.
Let the joy of the LORD surge through your entire being.
My prayer is that each of us will really focus on our LORD, think of all that He has done for us, praise Him for who He is, and seek to know Him ever more deeply with each passing day.
By His grace,
Pastor Leonard
