May 2, 2020

This Psalm of David highlights a tension between fear and faith in life. David mentions wars and enemies, abandonment by those closest to him, and isolation as potential obstacles to his daily relationship with God.

However, there is a resounding statement of faith that he wants to seek God and his plans. It is this priority and confidence in God that helps him make his decision to trust God and seek his face instead of fear!

David knows God’s answer may not be immediate, and so he declares his faith in verse 13, I believe that I will see the goodness of the Lord…and he encourages his hearers and readers to do the same: wait, be strong and take courage. There is no one to fear but God!

Psalm 27

The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation
Of David.

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 evildoers assail me
    to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
    it is they who stumble and fall.

3 Though an army encamp against me,
    my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
    yet I will be confident.

4 One thing have I asked of the Lord,
    that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
    and to inquire in his temple.

5 For he will hide me in his shelter
    in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
    he will lift me high upon a rock.

6 And now my head shall be lifted up
    above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
    sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
    be gracious to me and answer me!
8 You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you,
    “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”
9     Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
    O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
    O God of my salvation!
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
    but the Lord will take me in.

11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
    and lead me on a level path
    because of my enemies.
12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
    for false witnesses have risen against me,
    and they breathe out violence.

13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living!
14 Wait for the Lord;
    be strong, and let your heart take courage;
    wait for the Lord!

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Prayer:

Father, there are times when I am afraid. Circumstances and issues can seem so large and overwhelming; help me to see that You are right here. You care for me and won’t ever leave me, and so I will seek You.

I will take courage and be strong when I feel oppressed and stressed. Remind me how You have been good to me and that You will be good in my future as well. You are my shelter and stronghold and You hear me, so I will run to You! I will turn to You first and I will wait for You to lead and guide me.

Amen.

58 thoughts on “RHYTHM: DAY 13”

    1. Father, there are times when I am apprehensive about certain issues that seem so overwhelming at times. Help me to see that You are here with me. I know You care and won’t ever leave me, so I will seek You always.
      And I thank you for all the blessings in my life!

    2. Gracias padre amado mi Dios porque tú eres mi fortaleza mi refugio y mi escudo en ti confiaré, estamos viviendo momentos tristes y difíciles pero tú nos fortalece, te pido padre de que nunca me aparte de ti,, dame de ti, llena mi espíritu y hazme fuerte en ti, porque en nadie más confiaré mi Rey, eres mi todo, amén ?

  2. Lord, even though the trials and tribulations of this life may cause me to forget that You’re near, I know that You are always here! Illuminate the scripture on my heart. Help me refocus on You. Remind me to withdraw my eyes from the storm.

    Coach me on what it is that I need to do. Remind me to read Your word. Prompt me to come to You in prayer. Build my faith and steadfastness every time I take control of my thoughts. Teach me how to be in charge of my will through a heart and mind focused on Your will. Show me again and again that the enemy has no power over me, so I walk stronger every step I draw nearer to You!

    I pray a protection over my family/friends and church family. Abba, intercede where we lack. I cast out all unclean spirits. Command me Your will and forsake all other thoughts. Thank You for this time to draw nearer. I love you and thank you with all of my heart. It’s in your name I pray, amen❤

    3. Nadia,
      This is one of your MOST heartfelt prayers. I join you from my heart.

  3. Thank you FATHER for always being at our side and remind us we have nothing to fear if we fear GOD we fear nothing else, if we fear something else, we fear every thing. Fear is false, evidence, appearing, real We love you LORD in JESUS,s name AMEN

  5. Lord forgive me when I fear. When I lay up at night with anxious thoughts. Whom shall I fear. Teach me O Lord to only fear You. Like David to face the giants of this world and say Glory to God in the Highest! Where does my help come from. My help comes from the Lord. The Maker of heaven and earth. In Your Name I pray Amen.

  6. He will hide me in His shelter, He will lift me high upon a rock. I will be strong. I will take courage. I will wait for the Lord and not be afraid.

  7. Good morning my Father, this is the day You have made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. No matter what the day or season brings, Father help me to face the fears and trial with confidence in your faithfulness. You said “Seek my face” and I say your face will I seek all the days of my life, hide not your face from me. ” One thing I ask, Father and that I seek with all my being is that I will dwell in your house for the rest of the life you give me on this Earth to the glory of your name. Teach me to be actively relevant in doing your work while I wait because to live is Christ and to die is gain?! I love you my Father, thank you for loving me first!

  9. I believe I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Thank You Lord at all times in all things.

  10. Heavenly Father, hollowed be thy name. Praise your name always. Hear the cries of my loved ones and friends as they pour out their hearts to you in supplication and prayer. Hold us this day in the palm of your hand. Strengthen us to be instruments of your will. I surrender to you this day. Together, let’s go find a lost soul and share the good news with them. Amen

  11. Dear Heavenly Father,
    Reading in Your Word brings me such peace. Each day is a new experience… like I have never really felt their meaning before. But it is so true, I have had many that have forsaken me for none of my doing, my husband, a son, a daughter in law. But you Lord, have remained by my side through it all. You have been steadfast and true and loving. When I get sad and discouraged and wish to see their face, it will be Your face that I seek from now on. When my fears start to mount up and questions arise, I will remember David and what he said,”I will wait on the Lord”. I will seek only Your face. Please help me see Your will in my life here on earth so that it will be pleasing in Your sight, oh Lord, I pray. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

  12. “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”

    Thank you, Father, for enabling us to wait in faith and hope, with patience, as Your goodness is manifested each day.

  13. Dear Heavenly Father,
    Thank you for being with me all my life. Your love protected me from the evil one and enemies that surrounded me in my youth and surround me to this day. My fears, hurts and yes anger are immediately removed when I fix my eyes to Jesus.
    Thank you Holy Spirit for the stronghold of my life that brings peace in these uncertain days that we live. I love You Jesus!

    “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.”

  14. Father God,

    Your Word reminds me that You are my light. When darkness comes, and fear wants to strangle my faith, it’s Your light living within my soul that rescues me, dispelling all my fears.

    Hear my prayer for my faith to be strengthened in You, Lord, and for Your light to keep watch over my soul.

    I put my faith in You. I’m confident fear will not be able to hold me down because with You the battle is won.

    Thank you, Lord, for being the Light of my life, my strong tower and protector!

    Amen.

    1. Diane, your prayer is so beautiful. I love the way you describe the Light. The phrase “fear wants to strangle my faith.” Thank God, that He is the Light in our dark world. And even when we don’t see it, He IS in control. May we shine His Light to our world.

      1. Marylin, you are so right — He IS in control. Sometimes we really need to seize that thought and seal it in our hearts because many times we cannot see Him working — BUT we KNOW He is! Keep shining your beautiful light for Him, sister!

  16. Father God help me to be patient and trust that you will always protect me even in the worse situations that life presents.
    In Jesus Holy name.

  17. “One thing have I asked of the Lord,
        that will I seek after:
    that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
        all the days of my life,
    to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
        and to inquire in his temple.”
    Lord, the one thing I seek from you is to know you. Fellowship with you is sweet. May I walk with you, live in your house, every day of my life!

  19. Heavenly Father, we will obey Your word. We will wait for you. We will be strong. We will let our hearts take courage. Yes, we will wait for You, Lord! Have Your way in us for Your global glory!

  21. Gracious Father hear my cry, cast me not away from Your presence oh Lord. You have been my help, I seek your face, lead me in the path of righteousness.

  23. Thank you Lord for everything you have done and will do for me and my family. Amen!

  24. Lord, thank you for another day that I can thank you for all you do in my favor. Father, forgive me when I feel like you don’t hear me because I know you do. Help me to remember that your responses are not immediate because your timing is not my timing and your ways are not my ways. Help me Lord to wait, listen, be confident, strong and take courage. In your son’s name Jesus I ask these things. Amen

  25. Vs 14 about “waiting” on the Lord sooo reminds me of the wonderful promise in Habakkuk 2:3 TLB. Listen to what it says – “But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surly, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day.”
    Thank you my Lord for always coming through, teach me to be patient and wait on you!! Amen

  26. I thank you Father for your faithfullness even in the most trying of times. In the times when we do not seem to get answers to our prayers or do not seem to hear your answer.
    Being in your word daily has brought me closer to you and blessed me as I knew it would.

    I thank the church for the focus on the Psalms in this time but also for this time in my life.

    Praise you my Lord.

  27. I cry out to you, Oh Lord, my strength and my redeemer! Because of you I can face tomorrow, because of you all fear is gone. Thank you Jesus!

  28. “Wait for the Lord;
    be strong, and let your heart take courage;
    wait for the Lord!“

    Thank you Father for being my source of encouragement. I am waiting for you Lord.
    Amen.

  29. The last verse of this Psalm is especially appropriate for these COVID 19 days in which we live: Be strong, take courage, wait on the Lord.

  30. Thank you Lord for always being with me. Your presence calms me and gives me peace.

  31. Thank you dear God for my salvation and along with that eternal life and all spiritual blessings! Though I am weak, you are the same faithful, gracious, merciful and loving God! Please help me to keep trusting in you and Your Word and help me to be still and wait on you.

  32. What a blessing this day to share this devotional with my niece, Dr. Meggie Hixson, IMB Missionary in Tanzania.

    Heavenly Father, may our focus be to wait on you, not this virus. It seems the “news” is that it will surely overcome our house…our people. Lord, remind us this day to keep our eyes on you…waiting on you, not this virus. Then surely the tasks before us are clear and our confidence secure in You, The Almighty, who placed us where we are for a purpose, that evil will not bring harm before your work is done in us. Oh Father, knowing such, indeed, who shall we fear?! Strengthen us, oh Lord, so all we do leads others to you and Glorifies Your Great Name!

  34. Lord, thank you for being with me each day. I’m truly blessed to know you and walk with you.

  36. In the NASB , verse 13 reads “ I would have despaired unless I believed I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. “ It burned into my heart as I realized the Lord was giving me assurance that He was indeed answering my prayers for my son’s salvation – that I would live to see him saved. So I took courage and stood in faith and trusted Him for the answer. After several years, my son was saved and delivered from addiction. Sometimes He speaks a particular verse or passage to our heart that is unmistakably His special word to us.

    1. Thank you, Lenora, for sharing. I, too, will wait on the Lord and trust Him to answer my prayer.

  37. Wait for the Lord!
    Wait, Wait.
    The older we get the more we should know to Wait on the Lord.
    Never early and never late.

  40. Thank you Lord “for taking me in”. The many times I turned away from You, and yet You always take me in! Thank you for being so loving and patient!

  42. Thank you Lord that because you are my light, my salvation and my stronghold, I have nothing to fear.

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