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? (Psalm 27:1, ESV)
Psalm 27 gives a strategy for overcoming fear. I’ve written recently about “latter-day” fear in this blog, and Psalm 27 is my “go-to” antidote passage against this fear.
What do I mean when I mention “latter-day” fear?
Jesus describes the end times as . . .
People fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken (Luke 21:26, ESV).
In this Interruption, I won’t explain why I believe we are living in the end times, but reading Luke 21 and Matthew 24 (companion chapters on end times signs), we realize they describe current events.
King David writes Psalm 27 to teach fearless trust in God . . .
Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident (v. 3).
The context of Psalm 27 is David being assailed by literal and physical enemies. Luke 21 and Matthew 24 describe end-time wars, rumors of wars, nations against nations, major earthquakes, plagues, famines, strange sightings in the heavens, persecution of saints, lawlessness, false prophets, and love growing cold.
That’s a lot of physical, emotional, and spiritual enemies encamping against us today!
What can we do?
Psalm 27 explains the most important attitude for perilous times . . .
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple (v. 4).
When I talk about “latter-day” fear, I’m not referring to our daily fears but to a systematic and demonic spirit of the age that produces an immobilizing fear. This fear reduces faith to doubt that inhibits our ability to live by the “faith for faith” lifestyle taught by the Apostle Paul in Romans 1:17.
Understanding the prevalence of fear in the end times, Jesus asked . . .
When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? (Luke 18:8)
What should we do? I would suggest memorizing Psalm 27 and meditating on the following verses . . .
Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek” (vv. 7-8).
The solution to any type of fear, whether “latter-day” or your current struggles, means seeking the face of God and then listening to His voice. God will give us assignments to enable a growing faith that will be strong enough to withstand current and future fear.
Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies (v. 11).
When we face seeming defeat, King David says, “Hold on, don’t fret.” Well, he actually says . . .
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (vv. 13-14)
We will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Amen. Peace out!