A
PSALM OF TRUST
Psalm 27
Last
week in this great Psalm we looked at a Stanza of Confidence and saw the Basis for Confidence in verse
one. Now in this pen pulpit we continue
with the Test of Confidence as seen
in verses two and three.
When evildoers came upon me
to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, my heart
will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be
confident.
*You will note a mounting
crescendo of opposition against David. Often, there seems to be a mounting
crescendo of opposition that we face, whether in the form of people, pressure
or just circumstances.
*Very rarely does an
individual wave break upon our life.
Many times that first wave is followed by others.
*James speaks of the
gathering storm in James 1:2. Paul speaks of it in Romans 8:35. Job experienced it in Job
1:2. (loss of animals, servants, children and health) It’s like the build-up in the surf.
*In spite of all this David
said, “I shall be confident” – see also Romans
8:31-39. Remember that safety does
not consist in the absence of danger but in the presence of God.
A STANZA OF COMMITMENT
(verses 3-6). Confidence leads to greater commitment
1.
His Pursuit in Life vs 4,5 There was one major desire in David’s life:
*Dwell
in the house of the LORD all the
days of my life. The house of the LORD was the tabernacle/temple – the
place in the Old Testament where a Godly Jew went to learn of God and to serve
Him.
*Behold the beauty of the LORD – That
which is pleasant, good or full of grace –
cf Phil 4:8
*The
character of God is attractive.
Individual colors of a rainbow have a certain beauty - but it is when
all the colors are seen in their blended radiance that we really see the
intrinsic beauty of the rainbow. To
behold the beauty of the LORD is to
study His multi-faceted character.
*Inquire in the temple of the LORD. David had committed himself to becoming
acquainted with God and His ways….of loving the things of the Father….of
feeling familiar and at home with the truth.
(Luke 10:42; Phil 3:10-14; Col
3:1-4)
*This exercise builds trust and confidence.
You can trust someone only as well as you know them. This explains why in verse five David could
make the statement:
“For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the
secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.” You can come to God’s Word
depressed and go away rejoicing and ready to take on the world. Fear and turmoil subside as you tap into His
peace.
2.
His
Praise of the LORD – v.6 “And now my head will be lifted up above my
enemies around me; and I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing, yes I will sing praises to the LORD.”
·
The
believer is to offer the sacrifice of praise - cf Hebrews 13:15
·
There is power in praise -
cf 2 Chron. ch 20
So
David was not only confident, He was also committed to knowing and serving the LORD.
The question I would like to ask in this pen pulpit: Are you
confident in your Christianity? Are
you committed to serving the LORD? God bless,
In
His matchless love and grace,