March 18, 2024 -- Psalm 27:1-3 -- Three sure pillars for the Christian

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.
Psalm 27:1-3 ESV

There are three pillars to this Psalm. The first is the Light of the LORD—in the New Testament we know Him to be Jesus. He illuminates our broken, sinful condition. He Himself is the Light that leads us, cleansed by His blood, to the Father. He is light, so powerful enemies scatter before Him--like insects and bugs under a rock when exposed to the light--so the once fearsome seeming hosts will take off.

The second pillar is knowing our God as our Stronghold. There are so many forces arrayed against the Christian. It is like an army mounting attack after attack. The stronghold in the life of the Christian is the knowledge that in life and in death, in riches or in poverty, in sickness and in health, in joyful circumstances and under tremendous pressures, God Himself is the the strength of His people. Our circumstances don’t dictate our level of joy or sorrow, our connection with the Living God is our life-line. Our stronghold will never crumble in the face of enemy attack. Jesus has won the victory. He is the Captain of Salvation—those who follow Him know the Victory-Day is near.

The final pillar is the confidence that believers will see the goodness of the LORD. Such confidence is based on the fact that in Christ we have a new family—stronger than the bonds of blood relatives—we have brothers and sisters in Christ who have our back. In fact, Psalm 27 ends with these words: “I believe I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the Living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” (Psalm 27:13-14).

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, in Whom we live and move and have our being, Who has created us for Yourself, so that we can find rest only in You; grant to us such purity of heart and strength of purpose, that no selfish passion may hinder us from knowing Your will, no weakness from doing it; but in Your light may we see light clearly, and in Your service find perfect freedom; for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

“For all Occasions” from DIVINE SERVICE BOOK FOR THE ARMED FORCES, 1950

https://youtu.be/uBLp_M5FfbI?si=pExtmgwa-x1m0iuL “Man of Sorrows” Celtic Worship

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