Posted by Psalm 27 is a beautiful Psalm highlighting our need to trust in God. Enjoy this paraphrase. The actual Psalm is below.
Lord, you are my light – you direct and comfort me, you show me the way and shed light in dark corners. Lord, you are my salvation – my life, the gift that I could never earn. Lord, you are my stronghold – my fortress, the defender of my life, my safe place. In you I have no fear. I am not afraid of the things that bombard me, of anything that threatens me. Because I direct my mind to you.
Evil might come to me, to completely take me over. But the people that hate me, loathe me and want to destroy me – will fail in their plans. Though it feels like thousands are coming for me, from all angles, I will be strong, I will not be afraid, I will not give in, I will not run away! Even if it feels like evil is craving my death, I will live in the confidence of my God, my Stronghold, my Fortress, my answer.
Lord, there is one thing that I desire, one thing that should be my focus…
And that is to pause in your presence. I want to soak in your Spirit every day of my life – to linger on the thought of how wonderful you are to me, and how you created me, love me and desire good things for me. I search for you and earnestly desire your presence. For when I take time to linger in you, I will be stronger when trouble comes. When I am in Your presence, your Spirit, your Love and Joy will keep me safe. Your presence will wrap me up, will hide me, conceal me and then position me on a firm foundation – one that will not move, one that cannot be taken down. A rock that is solid, even when I feel like I am faltering.
When I find myself confident in your presence, my mind will be turned to You, turned to what really matters in this life. It is then that I have victory. Victory over the devil, over my own thoughts, over those who try to sway me, bring me down. When I realise it is your presence that gives me victory, I can’t help but sing your praises. Music to you will be my worship.
Please hear me, Lord. Show mercy to me, and let me hear your reply. Lord as I pause in your presence, I look for your face. I look to see your gentle eyes and lines of joy and compassion for me. Don’t hide from me, Lord, don’t be angry with me. You are my God, the one who helps me when I am in need. Don’t cast me away or reject me, God MY Saviour. God MY redeemer. God MY sacrifice. Even if it feels like the ones closest to me are casting me aside, I am confident that you will never leave me.
Lord be my teacher, show me your way of doing things. Show me the path to take because the one I’m on looks filled with oppression. Lord, those around me want to take me down, they want to spread lies…may your truth be victorious, may the sincerity of my heart show through the deceit that people want to throw at me.
Through all of this, my confidence remains in the goodness, perfection of the Lord. You are so good to me, and you desire that I live a life to the full. I wait for you, Lord. I patiently wait for your provision and answers. I am strong because I am lingering in your presence, in the presence of my “God-fortress”. I am encouraged, and therefore wait in Jesus my saviour.
Psalm 27
Of David.
1 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?
2 When the wicked advance against me
to devour[a] me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.
4 One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.
13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
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