Psalm 27
Introduction
Psalm 27 is a testimonial Psalm written by David
Summary
v1-3 Who shall I fear?
v4-6 The house of the LORD
v7-12 Prayer for mercy - "Do not"
v13-14 Confidence in God's grace in this life
Whom shall I fear?
David asks this question in light of the 2 statements he makes - The LORD is his light, his salvation and the stronghold of his life. He has full confidence in God to defend him from whatever enemies he has - because of God.
What does it mean practically to have God as light, salvation and stronghold?
One thing I ask of the LORD, that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life
This request is more than plainly staying in the house of the LORD. David goes on to expand it - to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD, to seek Him in His temple, to be safe in His dwelling, to be exalted over his enemies around Him, and to sing and make music to the LORD.
Is this really our greatest desire, to dwell in the house of the LORD?
Be merciful to me and answer me
David asks for a list of things here - for God not to hide His face, not to turn him away, not to reject him, and not to turn him over to the desires of his foes.
Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.
This is a shocking statement to make. To think that someone would even consider his parents will forsake him is a sad thought. However, this is the promise given to us - that the LORD will receive us if we seek to walk in His path. Similarly, in Mark 3, we see the account of how Jesus' parents said He was out of his mind, yet Jesus saying whoever does the will of God is His brother and His sister and His mother - God's family will always remain.
Where are you in God's family?
I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living
David makes this statement, as well as an encouragement statement in the last verse.
We often paint the Christian life as a life of suffering - to achieve the reward of God's goodness in the life that is yet to come. However, here David expresses his confidence in God's goodness right now.
Truth is, God's goodness is everywhere - be it in this life or the next. How we perceive this goodness, however, changes.
Old Testamental "goodness" was often perceived as victory in war - as the nation of Israel went out to war after war against enemy after enemy. Prosperity as a nation, or as an individual was highly regarded as "goodness' from God.
New Testamental goodness, however, focuses on sharing in the life of Christ. God's goodness is revealed to us in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, through which we have salvation and hope for the day He returns. It makes no mention of the Old Testamental goodness, but has us focused on a goodness that is greater than that of the Old Testament.Being part of Christ's mission, His life, also brings about the "suffering life" of a Christian - to suffer for Christ's sake.
Finally, life-to-come goodness is focused on God Himself - to be in His presence, in His dwelling. To worship Him, to work for Him, and to fulfill his every purpose for us - in the original purpose for man. We often look forward to this as heaven - the goodness at the end of this suffering road.
Point to be made is this - that goodness must not always be viewed in a sense of enjoyment for us. Our struggle with sin is a perfect example of this - the very fact that we can struggle with sin is a manifestation of God's goodness. We should rejoice, for the moment, that we even have this capability to struggle with sin and not be enslaved to it completely. With this mindset, also, we can then fully appreciate the final goodness of God when it comes.
How is God good to us today?
Questions have been listed in italics at the end of every section.
The question that really struck me: Where am I in God's family?
The first question of course, is whether I am even part of this family.
Do I do God's Will?
Before that, What is God's Will, and how do I fit into that?
God's Will has an eternal purpose - to glorify Him.
Where do I fit into that? I, as part of God's creation, am to glorify Him in whatever ways He has given to me.
What has God given to me?
- Talent in soccer
- Talent in guitar
- Talent in math
- Relationship with my family
- Relationship with my friends, both Christian and non-Christian
- Life in Singapore, freedom to share the gospel
These are just a few things that I find really crucial to be used to fulfill God's purposes for me. Good to say that I've discovered places where I can use most of these. Of course, there are more - which I will discover along the journey, and hopefully they'll fall into the list of things I can return to God as a good steward of.
So, where am I in this family?
A few key things that I'll say with the same confidence as David
- I am deeply rooted in His family.
- I know that God is Father - he rules the house, he rules my life.
- I know that God will not forsake me, unlike (possibly!) my earthly parents (though I'm sure they won't too)
- I know the church - the household of God, will not forsake me too.
I am son to the elders, brother to my peers, perhaps father to the younger ones even.
What is my role in this family then?
To obey the Father
To support the church elders in their governance of the church
To learn, as a son, how to be a father some day.
To be a brother to those in need, to build each other up that we may present every man perfect in Christ
To lead and be an example for the youths.
Those are my thoughts for the day!
Introduction
Psalm 27 is a testimonial Psalm written by David
Summary
v1-3 Who shall I fear?
v4-6 The house of the LORD
v7-12 Prayer for mercy - "Do not"
v13-14 Confidence in God's grace in this life
Whom shall I fear?
David asks this question in light of the 2 statements he makes - The LORD is his light, his salvation and the stronghold of his life. He has full confidence in God to defend him from whatever enemies he has - because of God.
What does it mean practically to have God as light, salvation and stronghold?
One thing I ask of the LORD, that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life
This request is more than plainly staying in the house of the LORD. David goes on to expand it - to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD, to seek Him in His temple, to be safe in His dwelling, to be exalted over his enemies around Him, and to sing and make music to the LORD.
Is this really our greatest desire, to dwell in the house of the LORD?
Be merciful to me and answer me
David asks for a list of things here - for God not to hide His face, not to turn him away, not to reject him, and not to turn him over to the desires of his foes.
Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.
This is a shocking statement to make. To think that someone would even consider his parents will forsake him is a sad thought. However, this is the promise given to us - that the LORD will receive us if we seek to walk in His path. Similarly, in Mark 3, we see the account of how Jesus' parents said He was out of his mind, yet Jesus saying whoever does the will of God is His brother and His sister and His mother - God's family will always remain.
Where are you in God's family?
I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living
David makes this statement, as well as an encouragement statement in the last verse.
We often paint the Christian life as a life of suffering - to achieve the reward of God's goodness in the life that is yet to come. However, here David expresses his confidence in God's goodness right now.
Truth is, God's goodness is everywhere - be it in this life or the next. How we perceive this goodness, however, changes.
Old Testamental "goodness" was often perceived as victory in war - as the nation of Israel went out to war after war against enemy after enemy. Prosperity as a nation, or as an individual was highly regarded as "goodness' from God.
New Testamental goodness, however, focuses on sharing in the life of Christ. God's goodness is revealed to us in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, through which we have salvation and hope for the day He returns. It makes no mention of the Old Testamental goodness, but has us focused on a goodness that is greater than that of the Old Testament.Being part of Christ's mission, His life, also brings about the "suffering life" of a Christian - to suffer for Christ's sake.
Finally, life-to-come goodness is focused on God Himself - to be in His presence, in His dwelling. To worship Him, to work for Him, and to fulfill his every purpose for us - in the original purpose for man. We often look forward to this as heaven - the goodness at the end of this suffering road.
Point to be made is this - that goodness must not always be viewed in a sense of enjoyment for us. Our struggle with sin is a perfect example of this - the very fact that we can struggle with sin is a manifestation of God's goodness. We should rejoice, for the moment, that we even have this capability to struggle with sin and not be enslaved to it completely. With this mindset, also, we can then fully appreciate the final goodness of God when it comes.
How is God good to us today?
Questions have been listed in italics at the end of every section.
The question that really struck me: Where am I in God's family?
The first question of course, is whether I am even part of this family.
Do I do God's Will?
Before that, What is God's Will, and how do I fit into that?
God's Will has an eternal purpose - to glorify Him.
Where do I fit into that? I, as part of God's creation, am to glorify Him in whatever ways He has given to me.
What has God given to me?
- Talent in soccer
- Talent in guitar
- Talent in math
- Relationship with my family
- Relationship with my friends, both Christian and non-Christian
- Life in Singapore, freedom to share the gospel
These are just a few things that I find really crucial to be used to fulfill God's purposes for me. Good to say that I've discovered places where I can use most of these. Of course, there are more - which I will discover along the journey, and hopefully they'll fall into the list of things I can return to God as a good steward of.
So, where am I in this family?
A few key things that I'll say with the same confidence as David
- I am deeply rooted in His family.
- I know that God is Father - he rules the house, he rules my life.
- I know that God will not forsake me, unlike (possibly!) my earthly parents (though I'm sure they won't too)
- I know the church - the household of God, will not forsake me too.
I am son to the elders, brother to my peers, perhaps father to the younger ones even.
What is my role in this family then?
To obey the Father
To support the church elders in their governance of the church
To learn, as a son, how to be a father some day.
To be a brother to those in need, to build each other up that we may present every man perfect in Christ
To lead and be an example for the youths.
Those are my thoughts for the day!
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