Psalm 27

Of David.
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 evildoers assail me
    to devour my flesh—
  my adversaries and foes—
    they shall stumble and fall.
3   Though an army encamp against me,
    my heart shall not fear;
  though war rise up against me,
    yet I will be confident.
4   One thing I asked of the LORD,
    that will I seek after:
  to live in the house of the LORD
    all the days of my life,
  to behold the beauty of the LORD,
    and to inquire in his temple.
5   For he will hide me in his shelter
    in the day of trouble;
  he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
    he will set me high on a rock.
6   Now my head is lifted up
    above my enemies all around me,
  and I will offer in his tent
    sacrifices with shouts of joy;
  I will sing and make melody to the LORD.
7   Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud,
    be gracious to me and answer me!
8   “Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!”
    Your face, LORD, do I seek.
9     Do not hide your face from me.
Do not turn your servant away in anger,
    you who have been my help.
  Do not cast me off, do not forsake me,
    O God of my salvation!
10   If my father and mother forsake me,
    the LORD will take me up.
11   Teach me your way, O LORD,
    and lead me on a level path
    because of my enemies.
12   Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,
    for false witnesses have risen against me,
    and they are breathing out violence.
13   I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD
    in the land of the living.
14   Wait for the LORD;
    be strong, and let your heart take courage;
    wait for the LORD!

Daily Prayer (based on Psalm 27:1)

O Lord, if I really believe in You, why am I ever afraid? You are strong and sure. Your steadfast love never fails. You know what's best for me and You do it. This I believe. So, Lord, help me to be unafraid. May I trust in You, Lord, instead of worrying about my health, or my work, or finances, or my kids, or the future. May I step out in faith, boldly living for You each day. Give me confidence in You, Lord, because You are worthy of my complete trust. Amen.

Postscript

In each generation, there are many fears. One of my earliest memories is of the Cuban Missile Crisis. I remember being afraid that the world might very well come to an end as I lay down for my afternoon nap. Then, even after that threat had passed, we lived with the fear of communism and nuclear annihilation. Now that day is over, but a new day has arrived, with new fears: Islamic terrorism, global warming, rogue states with nuclear weapons, avian flu, hurricanes, etc. These are genuine threats, no doubt. But if our trust is in the Lord, then we'll view them through different eyes, the eyes of faith and confidence in God.

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Except for the Scripture text, all material of The Daily Psalm Copyright © 2006 by Mark D. Roberts

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The Scripture text used in The Daily Psalm is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved