Scripture: Psalm
27:1-9
This psalm is a psalm of David. Parts of it sound like an
inner dialogue and other parts are clearly prayer. The first six verses speak
of David’s confidence and faith that God is his defender. Verses 7-10 are a
plea for God to hear David’s prayer. If you read the rest of the psalm verses
10-11 are another prayer; this time for guidance and protection. The psalm ends
with statements of faith and encouragement to wait for the Lord. Psalm 27 may
have functioned as part of the liturgy of the temple, in any case it urges us
to put our confidence in the Lord and to call upon him as the source of our
salvation.[1]
Teaching
People sometimes ask, “If God knows everything, why do we
need to pray? Doesn’t he already know what we are going to ask? What is the
point?” God does indeed know what we will pray for, but we should ask ourselves
who prayer is for. Psalm 27 is a beautiful example of how prayer functions in a
way that supports our faith and encourages us to hold tightly to God’s
promises. God commands us to pray, not because he is unaware of our need, but,
at least in part, so that we can call out to him in faith and find him
faithful.
Notice the way that David recounts the things God has
revealed about himself. God is light, salvation, the strong hold of life, a
defender against enemies, and one who builds up his people. God’s character and
his gracious deeds form a kind of foundation for prayer. As David prays for God
to hear him, to keep him, to not abandon him, and to teach him, he also recount
how God has done many of those things already and will continue to do so.
Life
What do you fear? Too often we are plagued by anxiety,
fears, neuroses, and doubts. How does Psalm 27 speak to your fears? How might
praying this psalm impact your day? Your conflicted relationship? The choice
you need to make? How might you use v. 1-3 as you pray about your fears?
David states in verse 4, “One thing have I asked of the Lord
… that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” In other
words, he prays that God keep him in faith through his whole life and bring him
safely home to heaven. When was the last time you prayed about God keeping you
in faith? Do you pray for a blessed end to your life and the joy of gazing upon
the beauty of the Lord when you are in his presence?
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