Our champion
Opening Prayer
Father, Your love is like a lighthouse in the darkest night, safely leading me home.
Read PSALM 27:1–14
[1]Of David. 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? [2] When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. [3] Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. [4] One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. [5] For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. [6] Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. [7] Hear my voice when I call, LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. [8] My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek. [9] 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, God my Savior. [10] Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. [11] Teach me your way, LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. [12] Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. [13] I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. [14] Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Why is the psalmist confident?In the Disney fairy tale Frozen, Princess Elsa, who has magical powers to create snow and ice out of thin air, is told as a young girl that “fear will be her enemy.” Thinking that this means others will be afraid of her, Elsa’s parents hide her away and, unwittingly, make her the one that is fearful of everything, including herself. Here the psalmist is praising God that, when living in the light of his love, there is nobody to fear (1–3). God is our champion, even over our worst enemies. Verses 4–6 express a deep longing to be always intimately connected with God—not simply coming and going to worship, but to live every moment with him, seeing his face (4) and singing his praises (6). Verses 7–12 plead with God never to turn his back on his beloved children, even though our nearest and dearest may reject us. At the end of Frozen, Elsa learns the one thing that is more powerful than fear: true love. This is what verse 13 points towards: the perfect love of God, well worth waiting for (14).
Apply
Turn to God in the midst of trial or trouble and know that he is a Rock that will hold.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You that You are my champion, and that Your “perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18).
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