Joshua Morden, Network Technician, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Scripture
Psalm 27
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 evildoers assail me
to devour my flesh—
my adversaries and foes—
they shall stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
yet I will be confident.
4 One thing I asked of the LORD,
that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the LORD,
and to inquire in his temple.
5 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 set me high on a rock.
6 Now my head is 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.
7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud,
be gracious to me and answer me!
8 “Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!”
Your face, LORD, do I seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me.
Do not turn your servant away in anger,
you who have been my help.
Do not cast me off, do not forsake me,
O God of my salvation!
10 If my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will take me up.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
12 Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they are breathing out violence.
13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the LORD!
Devotional
All of us experience times where we must wait on God to provide for a need. Today’s reading from Psalm 27 encourages us to “be strong, and let [our] heart take courage” as we wait for God’s timing and provision. How do we obtain the strength to wait? We do so by first fixing our eyes on Him.
David says in verse 4 that he desires only to “live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life.” When we focus on God, He will give us peace. Second, we must seek the Lord’s will in our affairs and be willing to obey however He directs us. Verse 11 says, “Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.” God will give us clear direction when we seek Him. Finally, we must have confidence that God will provide. Verse 13 asserts, “I believe that I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” Waiting is never easy, but God uses these times in our lives to draw us closer to Him and teach us to trust Him to supply our needs.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I know that You love me, and I have assurance that “if I ask anything according to Your will, You hear me” (1 Jn 5:14). Therefore, I place all my needs, desires, and concerns into Your hands and ask that You graciously provide for me and let Your will be accomplished in my life. Give me the strength and courage to wait for Your timing and provision and to trust that You will only do what is best for me. I ask this in Your name, Amen.