Deepening Faith - P1

Deepening Faith (Part 1)

Psalm 27 NKJV

A Psalm of David. 1 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? 2 When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. 3 Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident. 4 One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell 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 in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. 7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “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 help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. 10 When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lord will take care of me. 11 Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. 12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence. 13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Bible Passage: Psalm 27

Summary: Psalm 27 expresses a profound trust in the Lord amidst adversities and fears. The psalmist proclaims the Lord as light and salvation, encouraging believers to seek Him and find refuge in His presence.

Application: This sermon can help Christians understand that in times of fear and uncertainty, they can rely on God's faithfulness and presence. It encourages them to pursue a deeper relationship with God, who grants courage and comfort in struggles.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that fear is a natural response to life's challenges, but faith in God's promises can overcome that fear. It emphasizes the importance of seeking God constantly for strength and guidance.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the broader biblical context, this psalm points to Jesus as the ultimate refuge and light for believers. He is the manifestation of God's salvation, guiding us through our fears and trials.

Big Idea: In times of fear and uncertainty, we can find unwavering confidence in the Lord, who is our light and salvation, inviting us to seek His presence with courageous hearts.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider exploring the historical context of Psalm 27, particularly David's life as a backdrop to his expressions of faith. Utilize Logos to examine commentaries that address the imagery of light and salvation and how they unfold throughout the Psalms, as well as other scriptural references to God's protective presence.

Introduction: Understanding the Power of Fear

Fear is a natural and powerful emotion that shapes human behavior, decisions, and survival instincts. It can be as simple as a childhood fear of the dark or as complex as a deep-seated anxiety about failure. While fear often serves as a protective mechanism, warning us of potential dangers, it can also be limiting, preventing people from stepping outside their comfort zones. Whether rational or irrational, personal or universal, fears influence how individuals navigate the world. Understanding fear—its causes, effects, and ways to overcome it—is essential for personal growth and resilience.

Throughout history, fear has been used as a powerful method of control, influencing individuals, societies, and entire nations. Whether through political oppression, religious doctrines, media manipulation, or personal relationships, fear can shape thoughts, limit freedoms, and enforce obedience. Governments have used fear to maintain authority, instilling anxiety about external threats or severe punishments for disobedience. In relationships, manipulative individuals use fear—whether through emotional, psychological, or physical intimidation—to exert dominance over others. Even marketing and media exploit fear, preying on insecurities to drive consumer behavior. While fear can be a natural survival mechanism, when weaponized, it becomes a tool for manipulation, keeping people trapped in cycles of dependency, submission, and uncertainty. Recognizing these tactics is the first step toward breaking free from fear-driven control and reclaiming personal autonomy.

Introduction to the Scripture

Psalm 27 is a beautiful and powerful testament to the strength and comfort that faith in God can provide. It begins with the resounding declaration, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" We aim to deepen our faith and understanding of God’s presence and protection in our lives. This verse sets the tone for the entire psalm, which is a heartfelt expression of trust and confidence in God's protection and guidance.

1. Confidence in God's Light

Psalm 27:1–3 “1 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? 2 When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. 3 Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident.”

Light is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing truth, purity, and divine presence. When the psalmist refers to the Lord as his light, he is acknowledging that God is the source of all wisdom and understanding. In times of darkness and uncertainty, it is God's light that illuminates our path and shows us the way forward. This light dispels fear and doubt, giving us the clarity and confidence to face whatever challenges come our way.

The Psalmist expresses unwavering confidence in God's protection. The passage begins with a bold declaration: "The Lord is my light and my salvation." In a world filled with fear, this point suggests that believers can find assurance in God's unchanging nature. There is a story about a girl named Emma. As a child, Emma was terrified of the dark. Every night, she would hide under her blanket, convinced there were monsters lurking in the shadows. One evening, her father came in with a flashlight and sat beside her. With a gentle smile, he flicked the light on and showed her that the only shadow in the room was her own. “See?” he said. “Sometimes, fear disappears when you bring in a little light.” His words stayed with her, a reminder that fear often fades when faced with truth. Just as Psalm 27:1 says, *”The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?”

2. The Lord is My Salvation

Psalm 27:1–3 “1 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? 2 When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. 3 Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident.”

Salvation is another key theme in Psalm 27. The psalmist declares that God is his salvation, meaning that God is his deliverer and protector. This assurance of salvation is a source of comfort and strength. When we place our trust in God, we can face adversity with the knowledge that we are never alone and that God’s saving power is always at work in our lives. This belief in God’s salvation enables us to confront our fears with courage and hope.

King David faced numerous challenges throughout his life in the Old Testament. That he was undoubtedly afraid:

Facing Goliath – As a young shepherd, David courageously confronted and defeated the Philistine giant Goliath with only a sling and a few stones (1 Samuel 17).

Jealousy and Persecution from King Saul – After David’s success and rising popularity, King Saul became jealous and repeatedly attempted to kill him, forcing David to flee and live as a fugitive for years (1 Samuel 18-26).

Betrayal and Loss – David experienced betrayal by people he trusted, including Doeg the Edomite, who revealed the whereabouts of David and led to the massacre of the priests at Nob (1 Samuel 22:9-19).

War and Political Struggles – As king, David had to constantly defend Israel from enemies, including the Philistines, Amalekites, and other hostile nations (2 Samuel 8, 10).

Personal Sin and Its Consequences – David’s affair with Bathsheba and the arranged murder of her husband, Uriah, brought severe consequences, including the death of their firstborn and turmoil within his own household (2 Samuel 11-12).

Family Betrayal and Rebellion – David’s son Absalom betrayed him, declared himself king, and forced David to flee Jerusalem. This led to a devastating civil war before Absalom was ultimately killed (2 Samuel 15-18).

Succession Conflict – As David neared the end of his life, there was conflict over who would succeed him, particularly between his son Adonijah and the chosen heir, Solomon (1 Kings 1).

Despite these challenges, David remained a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), demonstrating repentance, faith, and reliance on God throughout his trials.

3. Craving God's Presence

Psalm 27:4–6 “4 One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell 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 in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;

One of the central themes of Psalm 27 is the psalmist’s desire to dwell in the house of the Lord and to seek God’s face. He writes, “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.” This longing for God’s presence is a reminder of the importance of maintaining a close and intimate relationship with the divine. In seeking God, we find peace, joy, and fulfillment. It is in God’s presence that we are truly at home.

Story 1

Imagine taking your favorite comfy blanket and wrapping it around you on a chilly day. It feels safe and cozy, much like being in God’s presence. In Psalm 91:1, we are reminded that those who dwell in the secret place of the Most High will abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Just like that blanket, God’s presence is a warm embrace amid our cold, chaotic world.

Story 2

When Jake walks his dog, there’s a certain spot in the park his dog loves to visit. Every time, the dog runs straight there, tail wagging, as if he knows he’s found his happy place. Watching him, Jake can’t help but think about how God’s presence is like that for us. Just as his dog eagerly seeks out his favorite place, we should long to enter God’s presence to experience true joy and peace. 1 Chronicles 16:11 reminds us to “Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually.” That’s where we truly feel at home!

Story 3 if needed

Think about that moment when you dive into a refreshing pool on a hot day—it’s invigorating and fills you with joy! Being in God’s presence is like that refreshing plunge, cleansing your soul and invigorating your spirit. Psalm 36:9 tells us that in His light, we see light. So often, life can feel heavy, but we can dive into God’s presence for refreshing relief and renewed strength—it’s our oasis!

Conclusion

Psalm 27 is a powerful reminder of the strength and courage that faith in God can provide. By trusting in God’s light and salvation, we can face our fears and challenges with confidence and hope. As we seek to dwell in God’s presence and to follow His guidance, we find the peace and assurance that comes from knowing that we are under His protection. Let us take these words to heart and strive to live each day with the same trust and confidence in God’s unfailing love and care.