Faith Got Me Through it!

Bible Passage: Ps 27:1–14

Summary: Psalm 27 expresses the profound trust the psalmist has in God, portraying Him as a source of light and salvation amidst chaos and fear. It emphasizes the importance of seeking God’s presence in troubled times while awaiting His deliverance.

Application: This sermon can encourage Christians facing adversity to maintain their faith and seek refuge in God, reminding them that in their darkest times, God’s light guides and protects.

Teaching: The sermon will teach that true faith in God transforms our perspective in adversity, enabling us to find peace and courage. It underscores that reliance on God brings strength, even when circumstances seem overwhelming.

How this passage could point to Christ: Jesus embodies the fulfillment of this Psalm as the Light of the World, offering salvation and hope in times of distress. Believers can find solace in the assurance that God is with them, just as He was with David.

Big Idea: In times of adversity, faith in God brings light and salvation, illuminating the path to peace and courage even in darkness.

Historical Analysis: The specific historical circumstances that prompted Psalm 27 remain uncertain. While David is identified as the writer, the exact occasion is unclear.1 Ancient tradition places it during the turbulent period before David’s kingship, though some modern scholars connect it to Absalom’s rebellion.1 No historical markers within the psalm itself enable definitive dating.2

What we can discern from the psalm’s content is that David faced genuine threats. He describes enemies attacking him and the possibility of military siege. (Ps 27) He also dealt with false witnesses who slandered him.1 David’s life was filled with military, political, and family conflict3, providing multiple possible contexts for the composition.

Rather than a single identifiable crisis, the psalm reflects David’s broader pattern of adversity and his response to it. He had experienced marked evidence of God’s protection during peril and sorrow, and he uses this past deliverance as grounds for confidence, whether or not he was still surrounded by enemies at the time of writing.2 The psalm progresses through three movements: a testimony of faith, the testing of faith, and the triumph of faith1—suggesting David wrote from a place of both remembered danger and present struggle, drawing on his experience of God’s faithfulness to encourage trust.

New Testament Connection: Jesus embodies the concepts of light and salvation through a unified theological identity rather than treating them as separate attributes. Jesus declares himself “the light of the world,” (John 8:12) establishing light as his fundamental nature and mission. This light operates on multiple levels: it dispels spiritual darkness, reveals truth, and enables transformation.

The connection between light and salvation becomes clear through the mechanism of revelation and moral transformation. Jesus came as light so that those who believe in him would not remain in darkness, (John 12:46) suggesting that salvation begins with illumination—seeing reality as it truly is. The light exposes human sin and evil deeds, yet those who embrace truth are drawn toward it, allowing their actions to be seen as done in God. (John 3:19–21) Salvation, then, involves both the exposure of our condition and the restoration that follows when we respond to Christ’s light.

The New Testament also grounds this imagery in cosmic and redemptive history. God’s act of commanding light to shine from darkness is paralleled in Christ shining in human hearts to reveal God’s glory, (2 Cor 4:6) connecting creation itself to redemption. Believers are delivered from the power of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of Christ’s love, receiving redemption through his blood and forgiveness of sins. (Col 1:13–14) Here, light and salvation merge: the light is not merely illumination but the actual power that transfers people from one realm to another.

Finally, walking in Christ’s light as he is in the light produces both fellowship and cleansing through his blood, (1 John 1:5–7) indicating that light and salvation are inseparable in Christian experience—salvation is the ongoing reality of living in Christ’s illuminating presence.

Title: Faith Got Me Through it

Text: Psalm 27:13-14

Psalm 27:13–14 NKJV

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Introduction: What do you do when it everything is falling apart? In case you hadn’t noticed, we live in a wicked and wayward world— broken and battered by the circumstance of Sin. Day by day we are confronted with calamity; reminded of our regression from edenic perfection; debilitated by division in the human family and constantly oppressed by those who oppose the flourishing of pigmented people all because of a petulant President who by his own bigotry permits them to be that way. We have yet again been reminded that no matter your class status our black sons are still in danger of not making it home. It can seem as if the external forces of opposition are winning the fight. However David says “I know how it is to have trouble in my life. I know what it’s like to have enemies on your track and I know what its even like worry about what tomorrow may bring” Psalm 27 is a passage that communicates the various challenges David faced in his life. Bible scholars are torn over the exact circumstance that prompted David to write these words. Some believe these are the words of a young David prior to taking the thrown, perhaps during his time running from King Saul. Others suggest David wrote Psalms 27 in response to the rebellion of his son Absalom, in his attempt to usurp his fathers thrown and now David has to flee from his on kin. There is no sign in the text that anchors this Psalm in any particular period, and I’m glad it doesn’t because it tells me that it doesn’t matter what one may be going through, if you wait on the Lord and be of goof courage, God can handle it! That’s what David is speaking out of the annals of antiquity— it wasn’t my power or money that brought me through my season of opposition; it wasn’t my mother or my father; it wasn’t my fraternity or sorority, but FAITH GOT ME THROUGH IT! Faith is what ultimately navigates the child of God through life’s situations to a predetermined destination. God is not fortuitous or accidental in what He allows us to endure. But our God is the master orchestrator. He’ll use the “Trojan Horse of trouble” to usher in a stronger way of believing in Him at the end of the day. In other words God will often use trouble and trials, disappointment and disaster as a means to the end of you walking away stronger, wiser and better.

Three major moves in our text demonstrates how faith carries us through. Walk with me around the text.:

1. Testimony of Faith (verses 1–7)

Psalm 27:1–7 NKJV

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? When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident. 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. 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. 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. Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

David opens with affirmations of God’s protective character—the Lord as light, salvation, and strength (Ps 27)—establishing his foundational confidence before addressing any threat. He recalls how enemies who attacked him previously were defeated (Ps 27), and he declares that even hypothetical military siege cannot shake his resolve (Ps 27). His singular desire is God’s presence in the temple, and he expresses certainty that during trouble God will shelter and elevate him (Ps 27). This section culminates in anticipation of vindication and joyful worship (Ps 27). The tone is declarative and assured—David is rehearsing what he knows to be true about God’s character and past faithfulness.

Gods track record is what fuels us with “futuristic faith.” David says “when the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh they stumbled and fell.” Verse 3 says “in this will I be confident.” Because of what God did in the “when”, I’ve been given a new “will.” He says I “will” be confident in God. And somebody needs to be reminded this morning that God is worthy of your confidence. Some young person needs to know that trust in God will get you further than anything in this world. Some married couple needs to be reminded that you can trust God with your marriage. I need to remind someone that you can trust God with your finances. How many knows that giving in tithes an offering is one of the most significant ways you can demonstrate you trust God. But we withhold our gifts because we trust ourselves to take care of us more than we do the one who’s never let you and your children go hungry. I will be confident because when I was down and out God kept me; when I was sick God healed me; when I was broke he provided for me; because of what God did in the when I will be confident!

2. Testing of Faith (verses 8–13)

Psalm 27:8–13 NKJV

When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” 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. When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lord will take care of me. Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence. I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.

The mood shifts dramatically. David moves from declaration to urgent petition, crying out for God’s attention and mercy (Ps 27). He acknowledges God’s call to seek His face while simultaneously pleading that God not hide from him or abandon him (Ps 27). He confronts the possibility of parental abandonment (Ps 27), and he requests protection from enemies and false accusers while admitting he would despair if not for his belief in God’s goodness (Ps 27). This section reveals the tension between David’s confidence and his actual vulnerability—his faith is being tested by real opposition and the fear of divine abandonment. Because it’s one thing to talk faith, but it’s another thing to exercise it.

Child of God you need to know that God will only let you sit on the sidelines of faith so long before putting you in a game-time situation. What we do here on Sunday morning is tantamount a practice, where we receive the coaching we need in order to execute in the game. When I was coming up in the choir they had a saying which was “we practice the way we perform.” That’s why you do your faith walk a disservice by coming to church and sit in here with your arms folded and you legs crossed as if you’re doing God a favor, but I wonder if there’s anybody who will help me practice and give God praise because the God we have a faith that won’t fail us in real-time circumstances! Jesus told Peter in Luke 22:31–32 “And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”” And thats what you and I are charged to do. When the test comes and faith gets you through, you ought to spread the word and strengthen our brother. Which leads me into the final move of the text. Not only is there a testimony of faith; a test of faith; Lastly there is…:

3. Triumph of Faith (verse 14)

Psalm 27:14 NKJV

Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!

The psalm concludes with a command to wait on the Lord, take courage, and trust that God will strengthen the heart (Ps 27). Rather than resolving the external threats, this final verse shifts focus to internal fortitude. David moves beyond his circumstances to encourage both himself and his audience toward patient endurance, affirming that God’s strengthening presence is the ultimate victory—regardless of whether enemies are defeated or circumstances change.

Conclusion: Somebody in here may be like David, and you are discouraged by the adversity of the day. You turn on the news and see our young people are dying without explanation and wonder “when will change come”. Financial hardships are becoming too difficult to bear and you’re wondering “when will be relief hit my home?” I just stopped by this morning to give you the prescription for your predicament and that is “wait on the Lord and be of good courage” and watch God turn things around. Do I have a witness? I glad I brought my own, as the Bible is replete with those who waited on the Lord, and He came through.:

Old Testament Examples

Abraham received God’s promise that he would have a son despite his childlessness, yet he had to wait for the fulfillment (Gen 15:1–6). After patiently enduring, Abraham obtained the promise (Heb 6:13–15), though Abraham and Sarah waited twenty-five years[1] for Isaac’s birth.

When the Israelites faced the Egyptian army at the Red Sea, Moses commanded them to stand still and watch God’s salvation, assuring them the Lord would fight for them (Exod 14:13–14). God delivered them through the parted sea, demonstrating His power when they waited rather than panicked.

Hannah endured years of barrenness while her rival provoked her, but she poured out her anguish in prayer to the Lord, making a vow that if God gave her a son, she would dedicate him to His service (1 Sam 1:1–20). God answered her prayer with Samuel’s birth.

Joseph waited in prison before God promoted him from captivity to a palace in a single day[2]. Joseph waited fifteen years[1] before his vindication and elevation in Egypt.

New Testament Examples

Simeon, a righteous and devout man, waited for the consolation of Israel, having been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would see the Lord’s Christ before death—a promise fulfilled when he encountered the infant Jesus in the temple (Luke 2:25–32).

The disciples were commanded to wait in Jerusalem for the Father’s promise—the Holy Spirit—which would come within days (Acts 1:4–5). The disciples waited forty days to experience the Holy Spirit[1] before Pentecost empowered their ministry.

Close: And one Friday… Jesus had to wait after he died on the Cross and buried in a borrowed tomb. But God said “Count to 3 and I’ll raise you up with all power!”

[1] Cris Rogers, Immeasurably More: To a Dehydrated Church Jesus Has Immeasurably More to Offer. (Oxford, England: Monarch Books, 2015). [See here, here, here.] [2] Rod Mattoon, Treasures from Isaiah, Treasures from Scripture Series (Springfield, IL: Rod Mattoon, 2014), 2:15.