Rev. Don Campbell
Psalm 7, 27, 31, 34, 52
THOUGHT FOR TODAY, April 15, 2019
“FIGHTINGS WITHOUT AND FEARS WITHIN”
First Samuel gives a history of David’s life as it was intertwined with that of Saul. The psalms in today’s readings give us a look into David’s faith and fears during those times. We will look atPsalm 27 as representative of the others, as space does not permit an exhaustive study of each of them.
First, David affirms his trust in the Lord: “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? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident (vv.1-3). The theme is “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.”
David goes on to say that fellowship with God not only destroys fear but produces joy: “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. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord” (vv.4-6). The saved are a singing people—not because they are commanded to sing, but because they cannot do otherwise.
Although he affirms his faith and the joy of fellowship, he admits to some trepidation: “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.’ Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in. Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence” (vv. 7-12). The apostle Paul was being hounded and persecuted when he said there were fightings without and fears within (2 Corinthians 7:5).
David reaffirmed his faith: “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!” (v.13). He then encourages us to have the same faith: “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (v.14).
We sometimes sing, “Jesus knows all about our struggles; He will guide ’til the day is done: There’s not a Friend like the lowly Jesus: No, not one! no, not one!” Jesus does not know all about our struggles because he is God and knows all things. He knows all about all our struggles because he was flesh and was tempted in all ways as we are (Hebrews 2:14-18).
As he hung on the cross, Jesus quoted from two of the psalms. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1). “Into your hand I commit my spirit” (Psalm 31:5).
CONNECTIONS
1. Can one really be in fellowship with Christ and not experience fightings without and fears within? (2 Tim 3:12; Romans 8:36-39)
2. David said that he was confident (Psalm 27:3). In what should we be confident? (Jeremiah 9:23-25)
