SEEKING GOD
Opening Prayer
Lord, You are my strength and my shield.
Read 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:
a 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
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way” (Psa. 46:1,2).
Think Further
When the world seems to be crashing down around us, in what or in whom do we trust? David, the psalmist and leader, is battle-ready. He resolutely puts his faith in God, thus encouraging others to follow his example. This psalm expresses David’s utmost confidence in God, leading him to prayer and praise.
In spite of the threats to his life and well-being, David rehearses what he knows about God: the Lord himself is a place of safety (1). David doesn’t look to his own resources. Instead, his words describe a man who knows God and has experienced him as a refuge from trouble. In the face of ominous circumstances, his “heart” (indicating his whole, essential self) is focused on God (3). Who needs to be afraid when God is on your side (whatever happens)? The prayer expresses David’s continuing longing for God and his trust in him (4). Maybe this is the day of trouble (5). If so, David knows that he is safe in God’s hands. His meditation and resulting assurance from God lead him to a renewed offering of himself to the Lord, to prayer and to praise (6).
The tone of the psalm changes at verse 7, becoming more urgent with the repeated plea, “Do not… Do not… Do not…” (9–12). Desperately seeking God, David’s anxiety is clear, but he still deliberately entrusts himself to God’s care and asks for his guidance (11). Despite the distractions, David wants to act in line with God’s will (11). Out of adversity comes a sense of renewed confidence which leads to a quiet patience. Now he has strength to “wait for the Lord” (14). Whatever troubles you face today, take time to seek the Lord and rest in him.
Apply
Remind yourself of God’s faithfulness. Ask for his strength to cope with the challenges of this day. “Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (14).
Closing prayer
Lord, strengthen my heart during times of adversity so that I may become fully able to wait patiently for Your deliverance.
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