The Lord is My Stronghold
The Lord is my light and my salvation–whom should I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life–whom should I dread?
Psalm 27:1(CSB)
We constantly engage in a spiritual battle between fear and faith. Fear seeks to dominate our lives, compelling us to fixate on our pressing circumstances or immobilizing us due to feelings of helplessness. Psalm 27 reassures us that faith grants us triumph over fear through the Lord, and living a life of faith fills us with hope.
The Nature of Fear. Fear arises from our life circumstances. David experienced fear while being pursued by his enemies and during his son's rebellion against him. Such circumstances highlight the immediate, leading to a shortsighted view that influences our feelings and reactions, ultimately resulting in a life of unrest.
Fear grows when we do not fulfill the expectations we set for ourselves or that others impose on us. David experienced this when he stumbled through adultery, constructed a house for himself rather than for the Lord, and struggled in his role as a father. When we fail, we become sensitive to the adversary's taunts and begin to accept falsehoods about ourselves. Our sins become magnified and gain influence, leading us to experience the anguish of defeat.
Fear stems from concerns about what lies ahead. David grappled with the temptation that the enemy might return, either to distract him from following the Lord or ultimately defeat him. Our fear of the future arises from a longing for certainty rather than the unknown. During times of fear regarding the future, we feel unsettled as worry takes over our lives.
The Existence Of Faith. David opened this Psalm with two basic questions. Whom should he fear and whom should he dread? These questions reveals that when the Lord is the center of our lives and we know him through faith that we must live in certainty. We live in certainty because the Lord is our stronghold..
We stand in courage like David, drawing strength from the Lord. The courage we rely on originates from Him, our Champion King, who makes our enemies falter. He engages in battle on our behalf. Our courage stems from our faith in the Lord, which is grounded in the assurance of His promises and works. We live with the confidence that the Lord is our refuge (hide me) and assures us of certain victory (set high on the rock).
The Essence of a Faithful Life. In verses 13-14, David portrays the life of the faithful amidst the struggle between fear and faith. When we live faithfully, we look forward with certainty. This certainty arises from our trust in God's goodness as He works in the lives of His people. His actions serve to weave everything together for His glory and our future. This assurance empowers us to wait on the Lord. Waiting reflects our trust in Him and His timing. Patience embodies our ability to endure, relying on the Lord’s timing, trusting His methods, and following His guidance. Patience becomes attainable when we rely on the Lord and allow our hearts to be brave. A courageous heart is rooted in the Lord and discovers the strength necessary to live solely for Him.
QUESTIONS
How is fear hindering you from living completely reliant upon the Lord?
What steps do you need to take in life to live a life of faithfulness?
