Deep comfort and encouragement spring from David’s words in Psalm 27. The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold in my life – of whom shall I be afraid?
After returning to their home base in a town called Ziklag, David and his small army of men found their homes burned to the ground and their women and children stolen.
David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.
Remarkably, in the midst of such a crisis, David looked to the Lord. David wrote this psalm not in the safety of a cathedral, but in the ruins of a burned-out village. David turned to the Lord for strength, then turned his mount toward the raiders who carried off his family.
David’s words spring from loss, pain, frustration and hope – which is why they carry such power.
I turn to Psalm 27 often during times of grief and loss. After the sudden death of my father years ago, I memorized verses 13 & 14, and they’ve percolated through my heart and mind many times since:
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
I Samuel 30 & Psalm 27 in week nineteen of reading the Bible cover to cover
Photo by Simon Berger
A good word. I am so enjoying your emails.
Thank you Connie!