WAIT FOR THE LORD
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Opening Prayer
On this day set apart, Father, I come before you with gratitude and love. I come to worship you for showing me who you are and making me your child.
Read PSALM 27
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Psalm
Psalm 27
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 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.
Reflect
Reflect on the different worries and concerns that are occupying your thoughts at this time.
Here is a prayer for this day—and for the beginning of this week. Perhaps, like King David, you do not know what lies ahead or how your battles will work out. If so, you can, like David, be confident in the Lord, who is your light and salvation. The psalm begins with this expression of confidence in God (vv. 1—3). No matter what enemies might bring, in your heart (v. 3)—your innermost self—you do not need to fear. Remember your priorities (‘One thing…,’ v. 4). Unlike your enemies, you know that the Lord is your stronghold. Seek him. In the days of trouble, draw close to him (v. 4). Even if you are not in church this Sunday, there is a sense in which you dwell with God and are sheltered by him (v. 5). Lifted above your troubles, worship is a priority (v. 6).
Despite proclamations of confidence in God, David still experiences troubling anxieties. It’s as if he says, ‘I do seek you, Lord, but…’ (see vv. 7, 8). Now, David turns to personal conversation with God. Sometimes we may feel as if God is not close to us (v. 9). Perhaps we fear that our sinfulness has caused him to turn away. David, however, reminds himself that his Savior will not—as even family and friends do sometimes— desert him (v. 10). In the midst of his troubles, he brings his prayers to God. ‘Teach me your way, Lord’ (v. 11); ‘Do not hand me over to the desire of my foes’ (v. 12).
David’s prayer closes with a reassertion of his confidence in God (v. 13). I will keep on trusting in your sure, future plans. Like David, we can ‘be strong’ and encouraged (v. 14). God is on our side. Be patient and ‘wait for the Lord’ (v. 14).
Apply
Reassert your own confidence in God. Talk to him about your anxieties about the world.
Closing prayer
Lord, forgive me for those times when I have been impatient, not trusting in your perfect plans and timing. Help me to wait with confidence in your good purposes for me.
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