Psalm 27 (KJV): The Lord is my strength, of whom shall I be afraid?

From Psalms

Psalm 27
(Of David.)

¹The LORD is my light and my salvation;
      whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the strength of my life;
      of whom shall I be afraid?
²When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes,
      came upon me to eat up my flesh,
      they stumbled and fell.
³Though a host should encamp against me,
      my heart shall not fear:
though war should rise against me,
      in this will I be confident.

⁴One thing have I desired 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 behold the beauty of the LORD,
      and to enquire in his temple.
⁵For in the time of trouble
      he shall hide me in his pavilion:
in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me;
      he shall set me up upon a rock.
⁶And now shall mine head be lifted up
      above mine enemies round about me:
therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy;
      I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

⁷Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice:
      have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
⁸When thou saidst, Seek ye my face;
      my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
⁹Hide not thy face far from me;
      put not thy servant away in anger:
      thou hast been my help;
leave me not, neither forsake me,
      O God of my salvation.
¹⁰When my father and my mother forsake me,
      then the LORD will take me up.
¹¹Teach me thy way, O LORD,
      and lead me in a plain path,
      because of mine enemies.
¹²Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies:
      for false witnesses are risen up against me,
      and such as breathe out cruelty.

¹³I had fainted, unless I had believed
      to see the goodness of the LORD
      in the land of the living.
¹⁴Wait on the LORD:
      be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart:
      wait, I say, on the LORD.

If the Lord is on my side then what harm can any person or worldly thing do to me.  Even a war should rise up against me I am confident in the Lord.  In times of trouble...he shall set me up on a rock.  This psalm would be complete if it ended here in or around verse five.  However, there's more.

This psalm is not just a psalm of praise of the strength and wisdom of God.  It is a psalm of faith.

It is not always easy to see His strength and wisdom working in our lives.  This strength does not always come quickly - nor does it always arrive when we want it.  You see God is a god of patience.  God likes to work with seeds.  When he wants a mighty tree he starts with a seed - often a very small seed.  And we know, unfortunately, not all seeds sprout.  So, we may need to try several times.  Even when they do sprout they need plenty of care, water, sunlight, and time.  The result, however, after providing all of these elements, is often beyond our wildest dreams.

This, I believe, is how this psalm closes.  Be faithful, have courage, and wait on the Lord.  Do these things and He will answer your prayers, strengthen your heart and will help you overcome your fiercest battles and greatest fears.

Thanks for letting me share.