OUR LIGHT AND SALVATION
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, on the first day and first Sunday of a new year, I thank you for the wonder of life and the mystery of your love.
Read PSALM 27
Psalm 27
Of David.
1 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[a] 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.
Footnotes
- Psalm 27:2 Or slander
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
Worship God today for revealing himself in Jesus, the Light of the World and our salvation.
Think Further
One interesting feature of New Testament study is looking at Old Testament quotes that originally referred to God but which New Testament writers ascribe to Jesus. An example is John the Baptist saying, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’.1 Jewish readers assumed that ‘the Lord’ was God but, for John and the gospel writers, it is Jesus. Because Jesus is the Light of the World and its Savior,2 we can reread this psalm replacing ‘Lord’ with ‘Jesus’. As we do so, it comes alive in a fresh way.
David’s song speaks of God as our Light, Savior, Deliverer, and Protector (vs 1–3,5,6). David states his confidence, his desire for intimate relationship with God (v 4), to honor God with sacrifices, to be heard by God (v 7), to seek him (v 8), never to be forsaken by God (v 9), to be taught and led by him (v 11), and to be protected by him (v 12). He states his faith that he will see God in the land of the living and cries out to listeners to be strong and courageous and wait for God (vs 13,14).
When we put Jesus into the psalm, it takes on fresh power. It is Jesus, David’s descendant, the Logos become flesh, who is the Light of the World and its Savior. God has poured into us the Spirit of God and Christ. Because he is with us in a palpable way, we are inwardly reassured of God’s deliverance and protection. We experience that deep relationship with God and we walk in it. We are taught and led by the Spirit of Jesus. We respond by waiting on him and courageously giving our lives as living sacrifices in his service. He promises us eternal life; we are never forsaken! We will gaze upon his beauty in the resurrection.
Apply
Explore these texts: John 14:26; Romans 8:11–14. Re-read the psalm with Jesus as Lord. Respond as led.
Closing prayer
Yes Lord, I resonate with the psalmist; I want a personal and dynamic relationship with you: to reflect on you, and to seek you above everything else.
1 Isa 40:3; Matt 3:3 2 John 8:12; 4:42
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