'Sharing Christ's love in deed and truth.' Apostle John
Albany Presbyterian Church
Albany Presbyterian Church
We've seen in the first three verses of Psalm 27 that the ultimate antidote to our fears in times of uncertainty is knowing God as He really is. David begins the psalm reminding us how the Lord is "my" light and "my" salvation – the Lord is the strength of "my" life. The point is that David can say that these eternal truths about an unchanging God are being experienced by him. David adores God as his personal Savior and Deliverer in difficult times and then applies this to the situation he is currently facing (vv.2-3). The light of God will shine and illuminate the way while others stumble. Enemies will surround him but he will not fear because he knows The Lord. This is at the heart of his true confidence in this psalm of confidence. In v. 4 David transitions to his desire for God which is at the heart of his true confidence in Him: "Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident. 4 One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek." During these difficult times when we can't be together as much physically, when we can't be together in God's house we can relate to this. David longs to dwell in God's house all the days of his life to behold his beauty and to inquire in His Temple. In times of uncertainty David knows his strength is in knowing God as His light and refuge and so he longs more than anything to seek God in God's house and to know Him more - to inquire - to seek answers in the house of God. As I've talked with our members on the phone so many of us have said what a great day it will be when we can come back together in God's house. All of this is true but don't miss the real point God is making here: David is evaluating his true priorities (and so should we). If you have to narrow life down to one thing - if God offered to give you whatever you asked, what would you ask for? What is the one thing that means the most to us? As hard as these times are this is a good time to do some "soul" searching. David emphasises the one thing I seek - the one things I pursue asking God for - is that I dwell in the house of The Lord all the days of my life. David is referring to being in the actual place of worship but more than that he is refocusing on God's presence. The idea of living in God's house is actually a picture of enjoying God's presence for eternity. We all desire deeply to be back in Church but are we enjoying God's presence right now? David says he longs to gaze upon the beauty of The Lord. Why do we travel cross country to places like the great-barrier reef, Uluru in the NT, or the Pinnacles here in WA? The joy and attractiveness of these places comes from seeing wonders which are beyond ourselves. We drive 1000's of kilometers to see these amazing sights because they take our breath away! As we worship wherever we are, our God will fill our hearts with His wonder! This wonder is greater than anything we'll face and His wonder will last for all eternity. In these times God does not want us to lose sight of His greatness, power, or strength but for these truths to fill our hearts more and more.
As we seek God we find the experience of His presence is our greatest shelter and strength:
5 "For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle - He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord." Psalm 91 - He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."
God's Blessings
Pastor Ben