Psalm 27

The Third Sunday after Epiphany | 01/22/2023 | Psalm 27 | Brad Everett

Epiphany’s image of Jesus Christ as the light of God in the darkness is an apt one for those of us living farther north, as we track the lengthening days, looking forward to the coming of Spring. We know the difference light can make to our sense of well-being and perhaps even safety and security. Situations and problems often seem bigger and more overwhelming under the cover of darkness than they do in the light of day. We talk about the “darkness of despair” and of things “lightening up”

Thus, the psalmist’s statement “The LORD is my light and my salvation—who shall I fear?” sounds and feels familiar to us. Light offers us salvation from the perils of darkness. With light we have less reason to be afraid—especially when it is the light of Christ’s presence with us as the second half of v. 1 echoes the hopefulness of the first half. [read v. 1] Light and salvation go hand in hand.

The psalm continues [read v. 2-3] The psalmist describes being attacked by the “wicked, enemies, an army”, and yet he will not fear and but will be confident because of God’s presence. The great thing about the psalms being poetry is that we aren’t confined to taking these images literally but instead, we can consider what we are feeling threatened by e.g. health concerns, family issues, financial troubles, world events etc. (feel free to insert what wakes up and keeps you up at night). Those things threating to overwhelm us, don’t vanish instantly, but in the light of Christ’s presence they no longer feel as large a menace they once seemed.

The importance, perhaps even the necessity of God’s presence to the psalmist is demonstrated in v. 4-5 [read v.4-5]—all he wants is to be in the house of the LORD because to be near God is to have the peace of beauty as opposed to the horror of ugliness; safety instead of danger; shelter and protection rather than being left to fend off the attacks on his own.

[read v. 6] this newfound security hasn’t eliminated the threat, (it’s still lurking out there) but it has freed the psalmist to focus his attention and energy on joy, singing and making music in gratitude to God. Which is by no means insignificant. No one overwhelmed with regret about the past, fear over what’s happening or anxiety concerning what might happen, also has the capacity, time or energy for joy and gratitude. Because of the light of God, the psalmist is aware of the threats that exist, however he is not paralyzed by them, but is free to pay attention to and celebrate the gifts God has blessed him with.

[read v. 7-9] these verses are less about the psalmist doubting God’s faithfulness, worried that the LORD might turn away and desert him, but instead giving voice to his concerns. Having known the peace and safety of God’s presence, the worst thing that could happen would be lose it, thus the pleas not to be rejected or forsaken. We’ve all gone through those times, feeling like the worst is about to happen and so we pray, begging God that it wouldn’t. Sometimes saying one’s fears aloud in prayer diminishes their power, bringing them from the darkness into the light.

It gives us a different perspective which we see in the next verses [read v. 10-12] as the psalmist describes the steadfast love and faithfulness of God—trust that surpasses that of even parents and family. Likewise, the prayer to be led by the LORD in his paths, which the psalmist knows are protection against peril and danger, is a statement of confidence and trust in God and his ways. Granted, these ways are not always easy, but they are always good.

[v. 13] Finally, no matter what all the psalmist endured in the past, is going through in the present, or might run into in the future, he is confident of seeing the goodness of the LORD. This in no way denies the reality of trouble or tragedy, or the likelihood of experiencing it, but places it in the context that God’s light and life—goodness and grace ultimately have the last word.

[read v. 14] so the psalm concludes with a call to wait for the LORD—the practice by which everything in the preceding verses is accomplished. This call is a hard blessing—hard because very few of us like to wait, even fewer are any good at it. We want things to happen on our schedule and situations resolved according to our timeline. And when it doesn’t, we charge ahead in our own strength, or sink into despair that God has forgotten us, simply because He’s not following our instructions.

Waiting requires the humility to let go of the need to be in control and acknowledge God’s ways and timing is best. It requires patience and trust, that even when it seems like nothing is happening believing God at work in ways we may not see or understand and He will let us know when and where to take the next step.

Waiting is also a blessing because it relieves us of the obligation and responsibility to work things out in our own power and understanding, while carrying the burden of risk and possible failure. We leave God’s responsibilities to God.

Waiting offers the blessing of rest for a time or season, to step back from certain activities.

Waiting on the LORD is an invitation to freedom from burdens (that come from within and without), freedom for a life of peace in God’s presence, freedom to rest in His steadfast love, safe in His light.

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Brad Everett

Ascension Lutheran Church

Calgary, AB Canada