Psalm 27: Afraid and Alone?

2020-02-09 

Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

Key verse: Psalm 27:13 I would have lost heart,unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LordIn the land of the living.

1 Samuel 21:1 Now David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And Ahimelech was afraid when he met David, and said to him, “Why areyou alone, and no one is with you?”

1 Samuel 21: 10 Then David arose and fled that day from before Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. 11 And the servants of Achish said to him, “Isthis not David the king of the land? Did they not sing of him to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands’?” 12 Now David took these words to heart, and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. 13 So he changed his behavior before them, pretended madness in their hands, scratched on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva fall down on his beard. 14 Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you see the man is insane.

1. Feeling alone is a common condition (vss 1-3a)

Psalm 27: 1 The Lordismy light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lordisthe strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? 2When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. 3Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear;

2. Feeling alone should not shake your confidence in God (vss 3b-5)

3b Though war may rise against me, In this I will beconfident. 4One thingI have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LordAll the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. 5For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.

3. Trusting God in our trouble is the first step towards victory (vss 6-7)

6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. 7Hear, O Lord, whenI cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

4. Trusting God requires seeking God (vss 8-9)

8 When You said,“Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” 9Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.

5. When all else fails, trust Him (vss 10-14)

10 When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lordwill take care of me. 11Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. 12Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence. 13I would have lost heart,unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LordIn the land of the living. 14Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!