I have been meditating on this photo I took earlier in the week. The pansies are placed next to Psalm 27:4 because I was thinking specifically about the beauty of the Lord.
This is one of my favorite verses, and as I meditate on the beauty of God, and all of creation, my spirit begins to shift. When I do this, it settles me down and helps me align with the truth of God’s character, care for the lilies of the field, the sparrows in the trees, and those of us who are created in His image.
David’s heart cry is one that I share, that I would know the Lord more deeply every day. I want to live in the presence of the Lord all the days of my life. Mulling that over and over in my mind the Holy Spirit clearly said to me you already do. I was instantly reminded that I, and all of us who follow Jesus, are the temple of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 3:16 and 6:16-20.) When we accept Christ, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:13) We are forever marked by God as His children, with access to all His promises including the promise to never leave us or give up on us. Hebrews (13:5; Joshua 1:5)
Sitting with these truths, meditating on them so they sink deeper in my spirit, the Lord reminded me of the beginning of the psalm. There are different things I like about these two versions, but both say when, not if in verse 2.
The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?
2 When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
3 Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.
4 The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. NLT
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?
2 When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet I will be confident.
4 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. ESV
What I hear when I read these is something like the following:
*Because the Creator of everything is light in the darkness, I can see what I need to see and I am safe. So why do I open the door to fear in my life?
*This One saves me from evil, is my fortified stronghold regardless of what others say and do.
*Why do I listen to the lies, trembling in fear, when I can have confidence that the LORD is true to His promises.
*Therefore, I will focus on, and delight in, the beauty, and perfection of my loving Savior. As I gaze and meditate on the LORD, how I am eternally sealed with the Holy Spirit, I declare that fear will not control me!
What do you experience when you meditate on this portion of Psalm 27? I would love to hear.
