The LORD Is My ______________

This morning as we come to the Word of God, we're going to be hearing some of the words of David in the Psalms.

If you have your Bible with you, you can open it up to Psalm 27.

And I'm going to read through the Psalm in its entirety before we take some time to reflect on it a little bit.

So Psalm 27 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?

When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.

Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear.

Though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.

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.

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.

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.

Hear my voice when I call, Lord.

Be merciful to me and answer me.

My heart says of you,

Seek His face.

Your face, Lord, I will seek.

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.

Though my father and mother forsake me,

the Lord will receive me.

Teach me your way, Lord.

Lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.

Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes.

For false witnesses rise up against me,

spouting malicious accusations.

I remain confident of this.

I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord.

Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

This is a wonderful psalm.

Even though these words that David spoke long ago reflect a very specific situation

and very specific feelings in the midst of that situation,

there's so much here to help us in all kinds of situations,

in all kinds of feelings that we may experience in our lives today.

But let's, for a moment, consider David's situation.

Now, I'm not going to retell the whole story of David.

If you've been reading your Bible, you'll know it.

You'll remember how there was a time in David's life where everything was going well for him.

He'd been anointed by Samuel to be the next king of Israel.

He defeated Goliath.

He had been having all kinds of success in battle.

But then you'll also remember that there were many times when everything wasn't going so well.

When he was a wanted man, being hunted by King Saul,

hiding in the crags of the desert hills and among the enemies of Israel,

crying out to God in fear and despair.

And even after he became king, he had his days when things looked grim.

So what do we learn from David in this psalm about his situation?

What is he going through right now?

Well, in the first three verses, he mentions fear three times.

Whom shall I fear?

Of whom shall I be afraid?

My heart will not fear.

Well, these are words of someone who sounds quite confident and really unafraid.

But even the mention of fear these three times tells us that fear is something that David has wrestled with deeply.

In the past, probably quite recently,

we get the sense that this confidence is something that David's heart has just now finally arrived at.

It seems pretty obvious as we read it that there's been a bit of a journey to get to this place of confidence and assurance for David.

David mentions all kinds of things in this psalm about his situation.

Things that are cause for fear.

Maybe even things unfolding in his life right now that at least at the first have been pulling on his heart, causing him worry.

Verse 2.

He says,

When the wicked advance against me to devour me.

Verse 3.

Though an army besiege me.

Though war break out against me.

Verse 6.

The enemies who surround me.

Verse 11.

Because of my oppressors.

And verse 12.

Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes.

He says.

For false witnesses rise up against me.

Spouting malicious accusations.

So we get a pretty clear sense here that David is going through some difficult stuff.

He's surrounded by enemies.

He's got these false witnesses speaking out against him.

Maybe even the imminent threat of an invasion by enemy armies.

And by verse 12 we know for sure that David isn't just talking about what has happened in the past.

But that this is a present reality for him.

He cries out to the Lord.

Do not turn me over to them.

Don't let them get the better of me.

Don't let them get the better of me.

And yet.

As we read David's first few words in this psalm.

We might be caught off guard.

We might be surprised.

Because it seems that he has such confidence.

And that he is not afraid.

Whom shall I fear?

Of whom shall I be afraid?

My heart will not fear.

Why not?

Why not?

In David's words.

The Lord.

Yahweh.

Is my light.

And my salvation.

He is the stronghold of my life.

Why are these things about the Lord so precious to David?

Right now.

The Lord is my light.

It's because David is familiar with darkness.

The Lord is my salvation.

It's precious because he is in need of saving.

Of rescue.

He is in a situation where he knows that on his own.

He is in big trouble.

The Lord is my stronghold.

The Lord is my stronghold.

It's precious because David feels in real danger.

Deeply vulnerable.

He's in need of something strong.

Something dependable to protect him from the enemies who surround him.

And even now may be rallying the troops.

And preparing to lay siege against him.

So this has been David's situation.

He feels even now the very real threat of enemies all around him.

He's probably wrestled deeply in these moments with what he really needs in life.

Like, oh, all this darkness.

I need some light.

I'm in trouble here.

I need someone to rescue me.

To get me out of this.

I'm surrounded by enemies all around me.

I can't fight a war on so many fronts.

I'm overwhelmed.

I need a big stronghold like a castle.

An impenetrable fortress that I can take refuge in.

No matter where they come from.

How many of them.

They can't get in.

Something that can withstand the assault all at once.

And many of the kings of Israel and Judah found themselves in a similar situation.

What did they do?

Well, as I've been reading through the history of the kings,

many of them picked up the phone book and called up the neighboring nations.

And said, hey, we're in big trouble here.

We need some help.

Could you send us some extra swords and spears?

Maybe some chariots.

And don't worry about the cost.

I'll just empty out the treasuries of the Lord's temple for you.

David doesn't do that.

Instead, he looks to the Lord.

To Yahweh.

The God of Abraham.

And Isaac.

And Jacob.

The God who created the universe.

And everything in it.

The God who chose Israel to be his special people.

He looks to the Lord for help.

And right from the start of this psalm, we see that David has found what he needs.

He has found God.

The Lord.

Himself.

To be exactly what he needs.

A light in the darkness.

Salvation.

In a time of trouble.

And a stronghold.

When surrounded with dangers.

It's as though David is saying here.

Lord.

You are those things.

For me.

And now that I've got that straight in my head and in my heart again.

Whom shall I fear?

Who can touch me?

No one.

Even if an army comes against me.

My heart will not fear.

Because you, Lord.

Are my light.

My salvation.

My stronghold.

Even if I'm surrounded and besieged.

And the battering rams are rolling up to the city gates.

And the siege towers are rolling up to the city.

They won't get through, Lord.

Because you are my stronghold.

Not quite.

He says.

You are the stronghold of my life.

The stronghold of my life.

This is not just about David winning a single earthly battle.

Or the city falling into enemy hands.

This is about David and his whole life.

It's not just here and now.

That David needs the Lord to be his stronghold.

It's that God has been that for David all along.

Right from the beginning.

You remember the story of David?

A stronghold.

From the day that the lion came prowling around near his father's sheep at night.

A stronghold.

The day that he ran to meet Goliath in battle.

With no armor.

And just a sling and a few stones.

A stronghold on all those days in which he was surrounded by Philistine soldiers.

Who were trying to get him.

And put an end to this.

And countless other times.

In David's life.

You are the stronghold of my life.

That's why I don't need to fear.

Anyone.

Or anything.

That may happen today.

Or tomorrow.

And David goes on in verses 4 and 5.

He says this.

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.

Isn't that something?

I mean.

Here David is in the midst of troubles.

Big troubles.

And what does he want most?

What's the one thing he wants most?

For you to come and fix these troubles Lord.

Make all of them go away.

To take my enemies out.

No.

One thing.

This only do I seek.

That I may dwell in the house of the Lord.

All the days of my life.

Not for the problems to be solved.

Not for the troubles to go away.

No.

What David wants is simply.

To be close to God.

To live in his house.

The place where he is.

Isn't that something?

And not just because he's scared.

Like a child running into.

His father's arms.

He gives the reason that he wants this.

He says I want this.

So that I might.

Gaze on the beauty of the Lord.

God.

God.

He says.

God.

He says.

He says.

In other words.

Yahweh.

You are glorious.

You are beautiful.

And I just want to be close to you.

I want to see that.

I want to know it.

I want to enjoy you.

In all your glorious perfections.

God.

God.

I want to know.

God.

My heart wants nothing more than that.

Is that what comes to your mind.

When you think of God.

That he's glorious.

And beautiful.

Has God captivated you.

With his glory.

And beauty.

That what you most deeply want.

Is simply to know.

Him.

And look at him.

And enjoy him.

All the days of my life.

Says David.

It's what I want more than anything.

It's almost like David just slips into dreaming.

About his ultimate treasure.

His ultimate goal in life.

And for a moment.

The things of earth grow dim.

And come out of focus.

And he's just thinking about that one thing.

He wants more than anything.

And this is it.

To gaze upon your beauty.

Lord.

And to seek after you.

For the rest of my life.

But then David snaps back to the reality.

Of the troubles around him.

Verse 5.

For in the day of trouble.

He.

The Lord.

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.

Now I imagine that David.

Is perhaps thinking about the tabernacle.

In his day.

That was the.

The place.

The sacred tent.

Where God dwelled among the Israelites.

I don't know exactly when.

David wrote this.

But it's almost as if.

He's just saying.

I just want to get there.

To that place.

Where you are God.

And if I can get there.

Then no one can touch me.

None of these guys who are after me.

I want to see your beauty and glory there.

And if.

And if I'm there.

You will keep me safe.

You'll hide me.

And the enemies won't be able.

To find me.

You'll set me.

High upon a rock.

I love that.

Picture.

Where I can stand.

And not be afraid.

Out of the reach.

Of my enemies.

Notice what David says.

In verse.

Five.

He says.

For in the day of trouble.

That's pretty general.

Isn't it?

For in the day of trouble.

In fact.

It's.

It's wonderfully.

Unspecific.

In other words.

It doesn't really matter.

What kind of trouble.

It is.

What kind of trouble.

Comes.

If I'm close to you God.

If.

You are my stronghold.

Then I'm going to be safe.

I'm going to be okay.

And not just safe and okay.

But verse six.

Then my head will be exalted.

Above the enemies.

Who surround me.

And at the sacred tent.

I will sacrifice.

With shouts of joy.

I will sing.

And make music.

To the Lord.

I mean.

Get this picture.

In your head.

For a moment.

Imagine.

In a big rock.

Like almost like a towering rock.

A pedestal.

And there David is.

On top of it.

And at the base of this rock.

All the enemies.

Of David.

Are down there.

Raging against them.

Shaking their fists.

And yet they're unable.

To reach him.

And what's David doing.

Up on this rock.

He's shouting.

Repeatedly.

With joy.

And he's singing.

To the Lord.

And making music.

So secure.

So safe.

Because God.

Is his.

Stronghold.

What a wonderful psalm this is.

So this is David's situation.

This is what David has come to think.

And realize.

And to feel.

In the midst of his troubles.

So let me ask you this morning.

What kind of troubles.

And difficulties.

Surround you today.

Probably different than David's.

I hope.

What kinds of challenges.

And responsibilities.

Are pressing in.

On you today.

These past few days.

What kind of sorrows.

And discouragements.

Have been weighing on your heart.

This past week.

Maybe you too.

Have felt overwhelmed.

Surrounded.

Maybe not afraid.

Like David.

But maybe worried.

Or anxious.

Maybe just worn out.

And weary.

Or discouraged.

What are you going through.

Right now.

What is it that you need most.

Right now.

Maybe you've been thinking about.

Earthly answers to that question.

Ordinary ways of getting the help you need.

But do you know.

That the Lord himself.

Is what you need most.

What David needed most.

Was light.

Deliverance.

A stronghold.

What is it that you need most.

Today.

And do you know.

That God himself.

Is that.

And provides.

That.

Generously.

And happily.

For all who draw close to him.

Maybe you're tired.

And feeling worn out.

Maybe you're longing for.

At least a couple more weeks vacation.

But maybe what you really need.

More than that.

Is to know.

That the Lord.

Is your shepherd.

And that he will make you.

Lie down in green pastures.

And lead you beside.

Quiet waters.

And restore.

And refresh.

Your soul.

Maybe you're feeling stressed.

With finances.

And bills.

Coming due.

And the money coming in.

Just doesn't seem enough.

What I need right now.

Is a big check.

But maybe what you really need.

More than that.

Is to know.

The Lord is my shepherd.

I shall not want.

Or lack.

And if God.

So takes care.

Of the birds.

Of the air.

And the grass.

Of the field.

Will he not take care of you.

Oh you of little faith.

Maybe you're feeling.

Broken hearted.

Or grieving.

Because of conflict.

In a relationship.

Or a situation.

And what I need right now.

Is someone to come in.

And just fix this mess.

To help him.

Or help her.

Or help them.

To see.

And to change.

But maybe what we really need.

More than that.

Is simply to know.

And to be close.

To the one.

Who changes hearts.

And fixes.

Broken relationships.

Better than anyone.

The prince of peace.

Peace.

Maybe you're feeling discouraged.

And distressed.

About what you see.

Happening in the world.

And in our country.

Today.

What we need right now.

Some of us have been thinking.

Is a good change of government.

Is a good change of government.

But maybe.

What we really need.

More than that.

Is to simply trust.

And stay close.

To the one who will be.

Our government.

And whose kingdom.

Will never end.

When he busts through the clouds.

In glory.

Someday soon.

And so I want to urge you.

This morning.

To let God encourage your heart.

Through David's Psalm.

27.

Think about what your trouble is.

Right now.

And fill in this blank.

For yourself.

Today.

David put three things.

In that blank.

Blank.

Light.

Salvation.

Stronghold.

What is it that you most.

Deeply need.

What will you put in that blank today.

Call out to the Lord.

And ask him to be that for you today.

Psalm 145 verse 18.

Psalms 145:18

The Lord is near.

To all who call on him.

To all who call on him in truth.

And so call on him.

Come close to him.

Draw near to him.

For in the day of trouble.

He will keep me safe.

In his dwelling.

Let's be mindful of this.

As we bring this to a close.

Your situation.

Your feelings.

May not change in an instant.

Even as you call on the Lord.

And ask for help.

Look at how this psalm ends.

Verse 13.

David says this.

I remain confident of this.

I will see the goodness of the Lord.

In the land of the living.

In other words.

I don't see it right now.

I don't see it right here in front of me.

Not yet.

But I trust you Lord.

That you will bring it to pass.

When the time is right.

Wait.

And so David finishes.

By urging.

All who are listening.

Wait for the Lord.

Be strong.

And take heart.

And wait.

For the Lord.

So with whatever you're going through today.

Whatever troubles you find yourself.

Having.

Maybe it's even just simply the pressures.

And stresses of ordinary life.

Number one.

Ask God to be.

What you most deeply need.

Number two.

Come close to him.

Draw near to him.

And number three.

Wait for him.

Wait for his grace and goodness.

To arrive.

And it will.

It always does.

Let's pray.

Let's pray.

Father in heaven.

We thank you so much.

For these words.

We thank you for this.

This promise.

This assurance.

That we.

Have from you.

We thank you that we can have.

This kind of confidence.

You know what we're facing.

Each one of us Lord.

And we commit it to you now.

We ask you to be.

Our help.

Our light.

Our strength.

Our wisdom.

Our guide.

Everything we need.

Our life.

And then we ask that you would lead us in joy.

Just like David talked about here.

Through these difficult days.

It's in your name we pray.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.