Psalm 27:1, 13-14

¹ The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

² When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
³ Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.

⁴ One thing I ask from the LORD,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
⁵ For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.

⁶ Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.

⁷ Hear my voice when I call, LORD;
be merciful to me and answer me.
⁸ My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, LORD, I will seek.
⁹ Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.
¹⁰ Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.
¹¹ Teach me your way, LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
¹² Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.

¹³ I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
¹⁴ Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

(Psalm 27:1, 13-14, New International Version)

 

We are defined by the choices that we make. The big ones and the small ones. If we choose to give to charity, people see us as generous. If we choose to cut someone off in traffic, people see us as…well, as an asshole. We make thousands of choices every day – from what to eat for breakfast to what car insurance company to use to who to marry and where to live. However, the most important choice we can ever make is to give (or not to give) our lives to Christ.

David is credited with writing the majority of the Psalms. It is more than evident that his writing is inspired by very intense times in his life. Times of joy, praise, confusion, sorrow, and pain. Psalm 27 was written at a time when David was being persecuted, yet he chooses to begin and end his Psalm by praising God. We can only speculate what was going on in David’s life when he wrote #27, but we all know he went through some pretty serious stuff. And he did some pretty stupid things. But through it all, he remained confident that the Lord would see him through.

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When your rent’s past due and the landlord’s pounding on your door – praise God.

When people spread ugly rumors about you and you feel like you have no friends – praise God.

When you feel like the world is caving in on you – praise God.

When you’re flying standby and are freaking out that you might not make your flight – praise God.

And when the sun is shining and it’s a beautiful day and you’re surrounded by loved ones and feel on top of the world – praise God.

***

Praising God in all we do is a choice. Following His laws is a choice. Loving your neighbor with the love of Jesus is a choice. Choose to walk in the light.

***

Lord, help us to choose you in everything we do. Help us choose to praise you and pray to you. And thank you Lord, for choosing to give your life to save ours.
Amen.