Whom shall I fear?

Introduction

Have you ever noticed how quickly things are changing? News cycles require instant access to the latest, up to the second changes in developments. Social media platforms seem to dictate that we respond with the group think that is all around us. If we are silent about injustice in the moment, then we are complicit with the injustice. Complicity on their terms leaves a lot of us at risk of being cancelled.

Over the last year or so, we have experienced so much by way as we’ve dealt with this global pandemic. There have been conspiracy theorists stating that it’s all over-blown - but we have to rectify over 3,000,0000 people dead because of a this virus.

We’ve wrestled with the racial tension that is real but is also being hyped up by the media. Does the conviction of the police officer change anything? - at least two more African Americans have have died at the hand of police just in the last couple of weeks.

We have also come through a tumultuous political season where saying the wrong thing could result in enemies in exactly the wrong places. It’s a lot to navigate.

As if that hasn’t been enough - there is the latest iteration of the sexual revolution. Our culture is telling us that gender is fluid - not established at birth. We get to choose - and at any time we can change that - and everyone else around us has to adjust. Do I call him a her or they now? What is it today? Saying the wrong thing becomes a micro-aggression and an offense.

As a pastor, it’s been quite a challenge to navigate a church through this. There are those constant decisions of trying to figure out what to preach - do I stay with the plan or adjust to the moment? Do I say something about the latest issue? Do I even know what the latest issue is? More than likely - no. And then there is the challenge of shepherding the congregation through the midst of the pandemic. Some are absolutely afraid. They don’t come out. They don’t fellowship. They stay secluded as much as possible. There are others who are on the other end - those who think it’s a hoax and think masks are a joke.

I would guess in your school, job, homes, you’ve have do adjust in much the same way.

Do you act in your opinion or act to conform to the expectations of society or act in a way that serves the lowest common denominator?

There is a lot to adjust to. There is a lot to fear.

But, thankfully - we serve a sovereign God who is still at work.

Our theme this year is “Fearless.”

But how do we keep from being afraid in the midst of pressures from so many sides. Where is the the true north, where is the anchor?

Well, if you’ve grown up in church, you could say the Sunday school answer of Jesus or God - but how? Where does God come into play with all of this?

Tonight, as we reflect on this, as we prepare for camp - in person - as we seek to navigate the perils of life and live fearlessly, I want us to reflect on the entire Psalm that houses our theme verse.

In many ways, we could meditate all night on the verse alone:

Psalm 27:1 ESV

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

But, as with all of scripture, this verse doesn’t sit in obscurity. It is housed in a context that has profound meaning.

Background

We don’t know exactly when David wrote this Psalm. Some have suggested that it was after he had experienced several battles, betrayals, and defeats. I think that what we can see is this David did not compose this Psalm from a state of naive bliss or “pie in the sky” optimism. He wrote this Psalm from the experience of life.

Begin with an attitude of confidence in God knowing challenges will come

Psalm 27:1–3 ESV

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.

David acknowledges a few things:

God is with him

Attacks will come

David doesn’t seem to expect that God will prevent all trials. He simply has this perspective that God is his source of hope and salvation - God is bigger and stronger than any enemy that will come our way.

There are some who enter into a walk with Christ assuming that everything will be easy, that life will be smooth. Difficulties, trials, suffering, pain - all have a part in the lives of God’s people. We’ve experienced that this last year in so many different ways.

Walk through the trials that God allows you to encounter with confidence - in Him. He is allowing these thing for a reason. David has no reason to fear the enemies - whether armies or individuals - God is his strength.

You and I have no reason to fear the enemies that we face. God is stronger than them.

Even though David has this attitude of confidence in God - and has no reason to fear, in the next section we get to see how we should follow David’s example and...

Seek God’s presence

Psalm 27:4–6 ESV

One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

As David faces the trials before him - his attitude is not to run and hide. He does not try to escape. He seeks after God. He longs for the beauty of the Lord - to dwell in his majesty - but also to seek him in order to understand (inquire).

David acknowledges that the will be protected and will worship God through the trial.

There is something profound that happens when we assemble in worship - as a church. Our gathering is not simply about gaining knowledge. It’s not simply a social gathering. Our assembly together allows us to join with one another, go glean the wisdom of God from each other, to honor Him. We get to gaze upon His beauty as we worship in the presence of others. (Boice)

There is an elderly man in our church. He’s 90, his wife is 91. In September, they will celebrate 70 years of marriage together - Lord willing. One of the joys of going to church - to the temple of the Lord - with Jim and Anabel there is that we get to learn from their long experiences. Here is a brief synopsis:

Jim’s mom died when he was 3, his step mom did not really like Jim and his brother so they were shipped off to different family members for most of his upbringing.

After high school, he went into the Army and served during the Korean war.

Upon his return, he married Anabel and they began attending church together.

He came to faith in Christ then.

Over the next 7 decades of his life, Jim found delight in the Lord and in His word. He led bible studies at his office. He taught Sunday School. He has memorized large chunks of scripture. Nearly every Sunday as I say good bye to folks as they are leaving, Jim will recite some passage of scripture that the Lord brought to his mind during the service.

They have not had an easy life. Of their six children, one of them died, 2-3 of them have gone through divorces.

Yet Jim looks back on his life with delight in how God has seen him through.

Seek God in the midst of the trials

Psalm 27:7–12 ESV

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in. Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.

Confidently Wait on God

Psalm 27:13–14 ESV

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

Closing Thoughts