CONFIDENCE,
fommunwn,
QompaA&ionand COURAGE O N E O P t h e most majestic por tions of God’s Word is the 27th Psalm. There has been much specu lation as to when David, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote this testimony. Some believe, based on the 10th verse, that he may have been led to do so when his parents passed away. Others think that it may have been the time when Doeg betrayed him before Saul. This al most caused David to lose his life. Still others have an idea that the Psalm was penned during the time of Absalom’s insurrection against his father. This tragedy must have bro ken poor David’s heart. You can imagine how you would have felt. Whatever the specific time it was written, there are truths and practi cal applications for our lives even today. The first six verses show the tri umph of the writer. The next verses, 7 through 14, reveal the tribulation which so often faces the believer. Again, verses 1 to 3 point out “the confidence we have in salvation;” verses 4 to 6, “the communion for the soul;” verses 7 to 12, “the com passion of the Saviour;” verses 13 to 14, “the courage or the contentment of the saints.” In verse 1 of Psalm 27 a testi mony is given which should thrill every trusting heart. “The 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?” Three important areas of our daily existence are mentioned here. We are assured of light, salva tion and strength. Actually these three can never be separated one from the other. Oxford University has as its motto “The Lord Is My Light.” The truth of the matter is
that to believe God provides light is not all that David has in mind. He is thinking of a great deal more. He’s talking about light, salvation, and strength. They are inseparable! First of all, consider this matter of light! Tracing through Scripture, we are brought face to face with the fact that producing light was the first of God’s creative acts, showing forth visible things. In Genesis 1 :2-3 we read that the earth was without form and void. Darkness covered the face of the deep. Then four mono syllabic words, divinely u tte red , wrought a tremendously dramatic change. God said, “Let there be light!” We can even see here a per fect contrast as well as parallel in our own existence. Before salvation, we were without any destination, any purpose, any goal or any hope. God through our Lord Jesus Christ de creed, “Let there be light.” John, in the description of “the beginning of the unbeginnings,” as 1:4-5 is some times called, tells us, “In Him [that is, Christ] was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the dark ness comprehended it not.” We were all born in iniquity. We all have been in terrible spiritual darkness. We all must have God’s light. The Lord has graciously promised to give it to us, if we will but look to Him by faith. In II Corinthians 4:4 we read, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which be lieve not, lest the light of the glori ous gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” To know that God is light is one thing. James reminds us, however, that the demons also believe, and they tremble. What we’re saying is 3
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