Psalm 27:1-3 The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.
The Lord does not merely give us light, salvation and a stronghold. HE GIVES US HIMSELF ….Through our relational dependence on Him, He becomes/He IS our Light, Salvation and Stronghold.
Spiritual Light = penetrates darkness; brings warmth; guides; reveals insight
Spiritual Salvation = continued deliverance from self; supernatural provision; protection from the enemy
Spiritual Fortress/Stronghold = the strength that’s made perfect in my weakness; security like solid Rock; stability through the ever-changing seasons of life; especially ministry life
In realizing the Lord is all this to us, we know we never need to be afraid? There is no reason for us to stress or despair. We can stand confident, come what may ….because of who He is to us.
So is this passage a reprimand for those of us who struggle with fear or stress, or depression— No, I believe it is a wake-up call to change our focus when those hardships hit.
Instead of grasping for relief, or screaming in frustration or crying in self-pity, we need to reach for more of Jesus — of what He promises to be for us….
How do we do that?
By full-out living Colossians 2:6. “…just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, so walk in Him.”
How did we receive Christ Jesus as Lord? By faith alone, in Christ alone. How do we live the Christian life/get more of what Jesus has promised? By faith alone, in His Word alone. The same way we received Him; not by works, or Biblical-sounding strategy but by faith in His Word alone.
It’s so easy and subtle to live by sight but call it faith….
It’s so easy to talk the talk; but talk is cheap; It’s time to eat our words and start learning what it really means to live by FAITH in the Word of God alone.
You see, when we swing out into the great unknown of every single day, hanging on to the promises and principles of Scripture, with no safety net ….we find our Lord’s arms are opened wide to hold us. He is far more than a safety net, He is our Light, our Salvation and our Stronghold. Hallelujah!
So how do we turn from relief-seeking and self-pity crying? By white-knuckle clinging to the promises and principles of Scripture in every detail of our lives.
How do we sustain this?
By full out living Genesis 17:1 “I am God Almighty (El Shaddai), walk before Me and be perfect” –I AM the All-Sufficient One, I have everything you need for life and godliness. If you walk before Me– in fellowship/relationship with Me, you will have ALL you need!
We are given grace sufficient to sustain our faith-walk as we live in a passionate relationship with the All-Sufficient One, the Lover of our souls. Just like Abraham did. Relationship sustains faith.
Relationship is where a weakling like me can become bravely confident in the promises of Scripture. Relationship is where seasons of gut-level prayer bring peace so strong it wraps around me like a shield. Relationship is where private meditation and worship infuse me with the strength to endure and overcome and abound! *He doesn’t “do” relationship for me. He won’t pray for me or meditate on Scripture for me or worship for me, but He does everything else.
Relationship is where my Lord becomes my Light, my Salvation and My Fortress. Hallelujah!!
Sadly Our instinct is to skip relationship and get to the good stuff. The 3 steps, the formula; the plan.
But the God-powered plan will only be revealed in relationship! *All of life is a resounding call to relationship: Better Deeper Stronger—never stop pressing higher up and deeper in to our Lord!!
We all have to learn this our own way and this kind of learning takes time. It is a journey; and there’s power when we can share our Journeys together
Discussion/ Response — Can you relate? Do you resonate with this? What has been your experience in this?
Sacred Wanderings 