Confidence that Dispels Fear
May 6, 2022
Commentary
This Psalm opens with David voicing his confidence in God based on: (1) The Lord’s personal dealings with him (v. 1), His past dealings (v. 2), and (3) His promised future dealings (v. 3). David wanted two things with all his heart: (1) the Lord’s presence (v. 4) and (2) protection (vv. 5-7). We often run to God when we experience difficulties. As believers we can call on God for help at any time. However, many of our problems could be avoided if we would simply take them to the Lord when they first show up in our life.
Faith and fear often fight each other for control in our lives (vv. 8-9). There is nothing more depressing than the feeling that we are being rejected. We cannot be sure what prompted David to make the statement he did concerning his parents (v. 10). It is known that during the time David was under Saul’s persecution he became very concerned for his parents’ safety. He had them taken from the farm and placed in political asylum in Moab. Perhaps his parents reproached him for the loss of their farm. All we really know is that David had a feeling of being forsaken but he had confidence that God would not forsake him.
David next asks God to teach him the way to go because his enemies were lying in wait for him (v.11). His enemies were the false witnesses who were out to destroy him. If Satan cannot destroy a person with weapons he will try to destroy him with words. In the end David does have confidence that he will survive and remain alive to see God’s blessing (vv. 12-13). For this reason, he was determined to wait for the Lord’s deliverance (v. 14). Waiting for God is not easy. Often it seems that He isn’t answering our prayers or doesn’t understand the urgency of our situation. But God is worth waiting for and often uses waiting to refresh, renew and teach us. Therefore, we need to make good use of our waiting times by discovering what God may be trying to teach us. What we want may be ok, but we are not ready for it yet. Our motivation for wanting it opposes God’s purpose for us. Possibly God wants to teach us to trust Him and not on ourselves.
Application
There is a fine line between confidence and pride. My confidence needs to be in the Lord and not in myself or any accomplishments I may have had in life.
Psalms 27:1–14 (NET)
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation. I fear no one. The Lord protects my life. I am afraid of no one.
2 When evil men attack me to devour my flesh, when my adversaries and enemies attack me, they stumble and fall.
3 Even when an army is deployed against me, I do not fear. Even when war is imminent, I remain confident.
4 I have asked the Lord for one thing— this is what I desire! I want to live in the Lord’s house all the days of my life, so I can gaze at the splendor of the Lord and contemplate in his temple.
5 He will surely give me shelter in the day of danger; he will hide me in his home. He will place me on an inaccessible rocky summit.
6 Now I will triumph over my enemies who surround me. I will offer sacrifices in his dwelling place and shout for joy. I will sing praises to the Lord.
7 Hear me, O Lord, when I cry out. Have mercy on me and answer me.
8 My heart tells me to pray to you, and I do pray to you, O Lord.
9 Do not reject me. Do not push your servant away in anger. You are my deliverer. Do not forsake or abandon me, O God who vindicates me.
10 Even if my father and mother abandoned me, the Lord would take me in.
11 Teach me how you want me to live, Lord; lead me along a level path because of those who wait to ambush me.
12 Do not turn me over to my enemies, for false witnesses who want to destroy me testify against me.
13 Where would I be if I did not believe I would experience the Lord’s favor in the land of the living?
14 Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!
Baseball Stories Told by a 92 Year Old
At age 92, Ted “Double Duty” Radcliffe can tell you baseball stories you would love to hear. He says he wore “Thou Shalt Not Steal” on his catcher’s chest-protector the time he threw out Ty Cobb trying to steal second. He recalls catchin … Continue