Psalm 27:1-6
Sunday 4th July
When the Lord makes His home in the heart of a believer, something changes, and it is unmistakable. The soul that has previously been focussed on the things of this world now becomes focussed on the Lord God. This can take many forms, of course. For some people this means a complete change of lifestyle or job, and can result in moving from one part of the world to another. Others find that the external trappings of life remain the same, and are transformed by the difference made to the soul by the presence of Christ.
Then, over time, the sense of drama at being committed exclusively to God can wane. If a Christian has not been required to change any earthly circumstance of life, and what happens in the home or at work remains the same, the Christian life can also become routine. For many, it is a round of work, home and church, each requiring a different set of personal skills and each needing to be balanced against the other in order to find a happy medium. Even the one who has left home and sometime family to be wholly committed in full time work for the Lord, the routine of life can edge slowly towards tedium. The great of expectations placed on such a servant can sometimes become a great burden, especially when the need for people to do God’s work in the world is so huge.
To all such people, and indeed to everyone, Psalm 27 speaks with refreshing simplicity. It speaks to us about the soul’s desire to return into God’s presence and remain there. Outwardly, we all know that we cannot opt out of normal life and spend our days in a cathedral or a simple village church, worshipping as we feel led. When David wrote this Psalm, he knew very well that he could not leave the responsibilities of leading God’s people and merely be selfish by remaining in the Temple! So his psalm expresses a longing of the heart that cannot be realise practically, but it can be realised spiritually.
Whatever life we lead, all of us yearn to grow in the things of God, or to put it differently, to walk a path of holiness, or ‘run the race’ set before us by God. As we do so, we find that if we are regular in our prayer, we will talk with our Lord about what happens to us day by day. He will then work through His Spirit to teach us deeper truths of His Kingdom, and lead us on to greater works in His Kingdom and for His glory. With this in mind, David’s song begins to mean something different; this great psalmist speaks about the fulfilment of spiritual yearning, as people come to know God’s presence with them all the time! This fulfilment is found not by drawing aside from the world and trying to find God somewhere else, but by growing in confidence through the storms of life, led by an ever presence Saviour. Jesus lives within the hearts of those who welcome Him, for His presence fulfils the highest expectations of the human soul.
As time goes by, we may come to know from personal experience that Jesus never leaves us, and His presence is more wonderful and awesome than the greatest worship we have ever experienced. His personal company in the daily things of life is far more satisfying than singing songs in a worship service! For David such worship was in the Temple, and for us, it could have been in any number of places. But our journey of faith means that the place is no longer important. For it is our personal experience, and not just an article of faith, that God’s dwelling place is truly within the heart of the believer.
With this assurance, we can be lifted up in spirit, just as David was when he wrote this psalm, despite being surrounded by all manner of earthly troubles. He writes, ‘He set me high on a rock ... above the enemies all around me’ (27:5,6), and he responds to the merciful salvation of the Lord by worshipping Him with shouts and with music (27:6). Surely, we most truly worship when we shout out with joy and sing His praises, not because others around us do so, but because we know the indwelling presence of God’s Spirit and the Lord Jesus Christ.
May this be your experience today.
God bless you;
Paul H Ashby
If you would like to read the author’s articles on the Sabbath day, click below:
Of David.
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is my life’s true security;
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evil men approach me
And seek to overcome me,
it is they, my enemies and my foes,
who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army set up camp against me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.
4 I have asked one thing of the Lord,
which is what I seek:
that I may live in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to look upon the beauty of the Lord
and to seek Him in His temple.
5 For He will hide me in His dwelling
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me in the cover of his tent
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be held high
above the enemies all around me;
I will worship with shouts of joy in His tent;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
© All text and pictures on this page copyright Paul H Ashby 2010 - all rights reserved
This is my faith, Lord Jesus Christ; that as God’s Son, You saved me!
This is my pride, Lord Jesus Christ; to know You who made the world!
This is my work, Lord Jesus Christ; to build the Kingdom of God!
This is my aim, Lord Jesus Christ; to live for You and for Your glory!
This is my life, Lord Jesus Christ; to walk besides You all the time!
This is my hope, Lord Jesus Christ; come again in glory!
Be released in worship by the power of the Spirit:
Into worship that comes from deep within the soul,
And becomes a genuine sacrifice of precious time;
Into worship that calls repentance from the stubborn sinner,
And changes people’s hearts towards each other;
Into worship that lifts up every voice in spiritual song,
And uses appropriate music to lift the soul to God;
Into worship that regards God’s Word as serious and holy,
And reads it, so that all who come might hear;
Into worship that involves all who have been called by God,
And takes place with deep commitment and prayer;
Be liberated in worship to love and serve the Lord!
Sabbath
- Pray for any who need hope because to them, all seems lost
- Pray for any who need love because of the loss of one loved
- Pray for any who need grace because their lives are troubled
- Pray for any who need faith because their spirits are searching
- Pray for any who need peace because their lives are restless
- Pray for any who need joy because life is full of unending sorrow
On Sundays, full devotions are not provided to reflect the principle of Sabbath rest. The author provides a few reflections written during the previous week.
