Balancing Ups and Downs of Life

O. T. #1207  "Balancing Ups and Downs of Life"
May 9, 2018
Psalms 27
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  Psalms 27:1

LET IT GLOW

How did David deal with his fear and trouble? How did he balance the ups and downs of life? Was there anyone of whom he should be afraid, whenever David's confidence and salvation was in God?
Who is David's light and salvation? Verse 1 tells us the LORD is. This is the very first thing David says in this chapter, in this song. He made it personal, too.

In the Hebrew language, LORD is Yehovah (yeh-ho-vaw'), which is the Jewish national name of God, Jehovah, the Lord; it means Self-Existent or Eternal; light means illumination, happiness;
salvation is defined as to be free, defend, deliver, rescue, be safe, save, get victory.

David is telling us that Jehovah is his light of redemption in contrast to the darkness of condemnation. The primary issue in David's life was to live in God's presence and by His purpose.
(MacArthur)

David may have written this psalm during the time of his flight from Absalom. David was not going to fear, for he had total confidence in God.
Paul reminded us, in Romans 8:31, If God is for us, who can be against us?
So when we put things in their right perspective, God is in control, we are in His hands, nothing is going to happen to us without it first toing through His hands. Right?

After Jesus did not condemn the adulterous woman, he told the Pharisees and scribes, I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Are we sharing the Light of Life and the Light of the world-Jesus?


LET IT GROW


The MacArthur Bible Commentary describes this chapter:
The psalmist, in the presence of his Lord, engages in three conversations that help him balance the ups and downs of life:
1. He converses with himself about privileges (verses 1-6)
2. He converses with the Lord about problems (verses 7-12)
3. He converses with Himself about perseverance (verses 13,14).


The second part of verse 1 includes David saying the LORD is his strength of his life. Strength refers to a fortified place, a defense, a fort, rock, stronghold.

Of whom should David be afraid? Anyone we are afraid of in our life? With God as our defense, rock, then we should not be afraid of anyone, right? When we encounter trouble, do we keep worshiping God, having Him as our focus? Focusing on God's greatness can help us through the ups and downs of life. Fear does not have to conquer us, since God can conquer anything we encounter.

LET IT GO

The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Jehovah is the strength of my life.
Stop being afraid and trust my light and salvation.