The Lord Is My Light

Introduction: A Psalm of Trust in a Time of Trouble

Psalm 27 is one of the most profound prayers in all of Scripture. The depth of the psalmist’s trust in God echoes across the ages, inspiring those who read and meditate upon it. James L. Mays, a well-known biblical scholar, places it alongside Psalm 23 for its sheer inspirational potential, saying that this psalm “teaches what trust is like, and it leads those who follow its lines in liturgy or meditation toward that trust.”

But let us not miss this truth: this psalm was born out of struggle. The beauty of Psalm 27 did not arise from ease and comfort—it came from a place of pain, fear, and uncertainty.

So often, our most heartfelt prayers are not prayed in times of peace but in times of crisis. Have you ever been in a place where you didn’t know where to turn? Where the weight of the world pressed down on your shoulders? Where you asked, “Lord, where are you?”

David, the writer of this psalm, knew that feeling. And yet, he begins his prayer not with panic, but with praise. This is the first lesson we take from Psalm 27: When we pray, we should not start with our problems, but with praise.

When we begin by focusing on who God is, rather than what we are going through, our perspective begins to change. This is why David declares: “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?”

The Lord Is My Light

David begins with a bold declaration of confidence in God. He does not say, “Lord, give me light,” but “The Lord is my light.” In Scripture, light is a symbol of revelation, holiness, and divine presence.

I remember a time when I traveled to Chicago with Mr. Harold and Fedeila. Instead of taking a taxi, we decided to ride the train—the subway. But there was one problem: none of us knew how to navigate the underground system. And this was before cell phones had good GPS, so we had no easy way to figure out where we were.

Down in that dark, confusing subway, we realized something—we were lost. We didn’t know which way to go. We thought we were headed in the right direction, but after a while, it became clear: we were going the wrong way. We had a choice to make. We could keep stumbling around in the darkness, hoping to somehow figure it out, or we could go back up to where the light was—to where we could see clearly and find our way again.

That moment is a lot like the world we live in today. People are trying to navigate life without direction, without truth, without a foundation. They’re lost in the darkness of confusion, following the wrong paths, thinking they’re going the right way. We hear people say, “Your truth” and “My truth,” but without the truth, we’re just wandering underground, unsure of where we’re headed.

But just like we had to make the decision to go back above ground, to return to the light, we must also choose to turn to the light of Christ—the only source of real truth. John 8:12 says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

The church is called to be a light in this world. We are not meant to blend into the shadows but to shine Christ’s light in love and truth. Some churches compromise the truth to avoid offending anyone, while others use truth as a weapon instead of as a beacon of hope.

Maybe today, someone here is feeling lost. Maybe you’ve been going in circles, trying to find your way. The good news is, you don’t have to stay in the darkness. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Step into the light, and He will guide you home.

David reminds us that God’s light is not harsh condemnation—it is a guiding presence that leads us through the darkness.

The Lord Is My Salvation

Not only is God our light, but He is also our salvation. The Hebrew word for salvation (yeshuah) is the very root of Jesus’ name, Yeshua—meaning deliverance, rescue, and wholeness.

Those in the world is seeking salvation in all the wrong places. Some look to politics, believing the right leaders will save them. Others put their hope in money, success, or technology. Some turn to self-help philosophies, thinking they can fix themselves. Yet none of these things truly satisfy. Only God can save.

This is why David can say, “Whom shall I fear?” When your salvation is secure in Christ, you have nothing to fear. Romans 8:31 reminds us: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Fear and faith cannot occupy the same space.

After her house was burned to the ground, a woman stood amidst the ashes with unwavering faith. When asked how she could smile and not tremble with fear over what had happened, she replied, 'My home was here, but my security is in Christ.' With a deep sense of peace, she chose to trust in the Lord's plan for her life. This exemplifies Romans 8:31 perfectly—knowing that even in loss, God is for us. Our salvation assures us that we are secure amidst adversities.

One Thing I Ask… To Dwell in the House of the Lord

David then shifts his focus from what God does to who God is. He says, “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.” David’s one desire is not wealth, power, or security—it is to be in God’s presence.

In a world full of distractions, single-minded devotion is rare. Many today struggle with divided hearts—chasing both God and the world. The media criticizes single-issue devotion, calling passionate people extreme or fanatical. But history is shaped by single-minded people, for good or for evil. Karl Marx envisioned a classless society and changed history. Hitler pursued a master race and devastated nations. But Paul, with holy devotion, preached “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2) and changed the world.

Is Christ your “one thing,” or just one of many things?

As an adult, it can feel challenging to maintain a single-minded devotion when peers and societal pressures encourage a more divided focus on success and personal goals. Combat this by joining or forming a small group outside the church that meets regularly to discuss accountability and spiritual growth. These meetings will serve as a space to share challenges, to pray for one another, and encourage each other towards a lifestyle that glorifies God.

I Will See the Goodness of the Lord in the Land of the Living

David does not end his prayer in despair—he ends with hope. He declares, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”

Many people today have lost hope. Many are saying, “Where is God?” They look at our schools, our children, our communities and ask, “Is there any hope?”

There was a time in my life as many of you know when I went through deep darkness. I lost my son and my mom, and the weight of grief was heavy. It felt like God was distant—like He had gone silent. I was asking the same question so many people ask today: “Where is God?”

It was a Holy Saturday moment.

You see, Holy Saturday is the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. It’s the day after Jesus was crucified but before He rose again. For His followers, it must have felt like all hope was lost. They had seen Him die. They had seen Him buried. And on that dark Saturday, all they could do was wait—grieving, confused, afraid. They didn’t know that Sunday was coming.

That’s how I felt in my loss. Maybe that’s how some of you feel today. You look at your life, your family, or the world around you, and you wonder, “Is there any hope?” But just because we can’t see what God is doing doesn’t mean He isn’t working.

The silence of Holy Saturday doesn’t mean the story is over. Resurrection is coming. Hope is coming. Jesus is still moving, even when we can’t see Him.

Quote: “Never doubt in the dark what God has shown you in the light.” — V. Raymond Edman

Even when I couldn’t feel Him, God was still there. And He is still here today, in our schools, in our children, in our communities. The world asks, “Where is God?”—but the truth is, He has never left. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

So if you’re in a Holy Saturday moment—if you’re waiting, hurting, wondering—hold on. Sunday is coming. Hope is alive. Jesus is here.

Don’t just focus on your problems, look for God’s goodness.

Wait for the Lord

Psalm 27 ends with a challenge: “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Lent is a season of waiting—a time to reflect, repent, and trust in God’s perfect timing. We may not see answers immediately—but God is working. We may feel like nothing is changing—but God’s goodness is coming.

Will we wait on the Lord, or will we rush ahead in fear?

As we walk through Lent, let us take Psalm 27 to heart. The Lord is our Light—we do not have to fear. The Lord is our Salvation—we are not lost. The Lord is our Stronghold—we are not shaken. The Lord’s Goodness is Here—we will see it in the land of the living.

A Prayer of Commitment

“Lord, in this season of Lent, we turn to you. You are our Light in the darkness, our Salvation in troubled times, our Stronghold when everything feels uncertain. Help us to trust in you, to dwell in your presence, and to wait on your goodness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Church, do not be afraid—God is our Light.

Do not lose hope—we will see His goodness.

And let us wait with confidence, for we will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!

Amen.