Identifying with the Psalmist

Psalm 27

The Lord is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid?
When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.
One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in His temple.
For in the days of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me upon a rock.
Then my head will be exalted above all the enemies who surround me; at His tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.
Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.
My heart says of you, "Seek His face!" 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 helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.
Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.
Teach me Your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait on the Lord.

Sunday, Dr. Youseff started a new series called, "Identifying with the Psalmist". Yesterday, we spent time in Psalm 27. We all, as a congregation, actually stood up and read Psalm 27 aloud. Whew! Isn't it a powerful Psalm?

Dr. Youseff explained two parts to the psalm, v. 1-6 are exuberant confidence and v. 7-14 are an entreating cry. He went on to explain that most of us will experience a time in our lives that we are confident in the promises of God, yet still fearful of what the future holds. Basically, a "see-saw" of faith and fear -- something I definitely struggle with.

I felt such a sense of relief to know that even David struggled with balancing faith and fear! Just like David, I trust everyone of God's promises. I know He will never leave me or forsake me...that every good and perfect gift comes from Him...that God has given us the victory over sin...that He will supply all our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus...and the list goes on and on. Yet, in the midst of a trial or delayed answer to prayer, fear often wins out over faith.

During this time in his life, David was desperately longing for God's pressence -- knowing the God who brought Him to salvation would surely help him in his present-day storms. What a word of encouragement! The very God who sacrificed His only Son will be our stronghold. This is a promise. Yet, it still doesn't change the trials. It doesn't cause marriages to mend, jobs to come back, health to be restored, or bring death to life.

I embarrased to admit, I have made God somewhat of a Santa Claus. If I'm nice and live a "good life" (what does that mean anyway?), He'll bring me the desires of my heart, end a trial -- simply answer a prayer ... on my time. However, when things don't work out like I hope or plan, I'm just like a child dissapointed on Christmas. Isn't that sad!

I have sought His hand and not His face. I have not lived a life content with the abundance with which He has blessed me and peace knowing His blessings and answers will come right on time. I am crying, "Lord, enough! Enough! End this trial!" Rather than, "What would you have for me to learn through this?"

His delays are not denials and His timing is always perfect! Lord, cause me to be like David and say: "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. So, I will wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait on the Lord."