THE LORD IS THE STRENGTH OF MY LIFE
PSALM 27:1-14
PSALM 27:1-14
Introduction:
David’s object here was to put a threefold shield, as it were, against his various fears, in order to ward them off. The term light is used in Scripture to denote joy, or the perfection of happiness.
To explain his meaning, he adds that God was his salvation and the strength of his life, as it was by His help that he felt himself safe, and free from the terrors of death. —John Calvin
I. JEHOVAH IS MY LIGHT
A. The LORD lightens the way, v. 1; Job 29:3, “When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness;”
1. He does not leave us in darkness, 1 Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”
2. In Jesus the darkness is past, 1 John 2:8, “Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.”
B. David had an everlasting light in the Lord, Isaiah 60:19, “The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.”
1. This Light is the light of men, John 1:4, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”
2. This is the True Light, John 1:9, “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”
3. This Light is the Light of the world, John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
II. JEHOVAH IS MY SALVATION
A. He is the salvation of the righteous, vv. 1-3; Psalms 37:39, “But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.”
B. He is the One in whom we have confidence, v. 3; Isaiah 12:2, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.”
1. David’s confidence is seen in his psalms, Psalms 3:6, “I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.”
2. David’s confidence is seen is his actions, 1 Samuel 17:45-46, 50, “Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 46- This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 50- So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.”
III. JEHOVAH IS THE ROCK (STRENGHT) OF MY LIFE
A. David’s great desire was to dwell in the house of God, vv. 4-6; Psalms 26:8, “LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.”
1. In this David reaches for the things of God, Philippians 3:13, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,”
2. In this he saw God’s blessings, Psalms 23:6, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
3. There he saw the beauty of God, Psalms 90:17, “And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.”
B. This was the secret of his confidence in the Lord, Psalms 16:11, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
1. He knew the source of his blessings, Psalms 23:6, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
2. The Lord has showed David great kindness, Psalms 31:21, “Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.”
3. David’s fear of the Lord was the basis of his worship, Psalms 5:7, “But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.”
C. David’s pressing needs forces him to prayer, vv. 7-13; Psalms 4:1, “Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.”
1. He sought the Lord’s face when in need, vv. 8-9; Psalms 105:4, “Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.”
2. When others failed him he knew the Lord would not, vv. 10-12; Isaiah 49:15, “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.”
3. David knew that he would see the goodness of the Lord, v. 13; Psalms 42:5, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.”
CONCLUSION:
David concludes in v. 13 by saying: “Wait on the Lord.” Psalms 33:20,“Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.”
Those that wait on the Lord will have courage to stand, Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
He say that those who hope in the Lord will be strengthened, Psalms 31:24, “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.”