DEVOTIONAL

Prayer: Father God, thank you for all that you have done in my life so far. Thank you for this new day. I praise you that you are my light and salvation. Help me to live and walk in the light of Jesus and bring glory to your name. I come before your throne of grace and mercy and confess and acknowledge I have sinned against you in thought and deed, please forgive me and, in your grace, purify my heart, cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. And in your great love lead me and help me to walk in the paths of righteousness, so that I may bring glory to you the one triune God. Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy.  I now receive your forgiveness and mercy in the name of my Lord and saviour Jesus Christ 

Scripture Reading for Prayer and Praise:  Psalm 98:1 

"Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvellous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.”

Worship Song Sung or Said: Here I Am to Worship (Tim Hughes)

https://youtu.be/YXg2ztge8f0

Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes, let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God

You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me

King of all days
Oh, so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came to the earth You created
All for love's sake became poor

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God

You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me

Well, I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross

Well, I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross

Well, I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross

Well, I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross

God’s Word for Today: Psalm 27:1-6

"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 the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.” 3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.” 4 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.” 5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.” 6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.”                                                                                                     

Devotional/Study: (Part 1)

Psalm 27 is one the Psalms that Christians have found very helpful. It is a Psalm of David that reveals the humanity of David and how he coped in a crisis. We're not sure when David wrote this Psalm. Some think it refers to his exile during Absalom's rebellion. Others refer it to when he fled because of King Saul was trying to kill him. 

Whatever the situation was he was facing evil men who wanted to harm him. David is in trouble, and fear is knocking on his door. 

During my ministry I have witnessed and ministered to Christians in Pakistan who have also faced physical violence and slander and have had to go in hiding because people and even their own families have wanted to harm and kill them. Some of them live in daily fear, however like David; they hold a key to dealing with fear in their lives. They still have their doubts and fears and have mixed emotions. However, in the midst of their fears and mixed emotions they still trust in God. 

On one of my trips to Pakistan I met some police officers and on the back of their t shirts it says no ‘No Fear’ Their philosophy says that I won’t fear anything in life. Here in this Psalm, David’s philosophy or thinking in the midst of trouble at this point is no is fear. He has no fear because he knows God is his light and salvation and stronghold, so was able to face his fears with courage and confidence. His confidence was in God and did not allow fear to rob him of his peace, that is why he could say in v1 "whom shall, I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid.” 

Brothers and sisters there are two kinds of fear one is beneficial and is encouraged and that is the fear of the Lord. This kind of fear of the Lord brings blessings. The Psalmist says in Psalm 111:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.” His praise endures forever! This type of fear does not necessarily mean to be afraid of something. Rather, it is recognising and acknowledging the holiness of God and His power and glory. 

However, the second type of fear is a fear that can paralyse you into a place of been afraid, anxious, and worried. When Paul wrote to Timothy, he said in 2 Timothy 1:7 "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” Brothers and sisters, if we are honest with ourselves sometimes, we are afraid, sometimes this spirit of fear overcomes us. Throughout David’s life he experienced fears but always looked to God. 

In Psalm 34: David says, "I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Fear goes from hearts when we look to God but rises when we look at the situation. 

In the story of David and Goliath, Gods people looked at Goliath the giant and were overcome with fear, we read this 1 Samuel 17:11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. When David looked at Goliath, he didn’t see a giant. He saw a mortal man defying almighty God and was overcome with courage and faith in God. We read 1 Sam 17:45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”

Brothers and sisters, the antidote to over-coming fear is total and complete trust in God and remembering His greatness. Trusting God is a refusal to give into fear. Once when Gods people were in trouble, God said in Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” 

Brothers and sisters when put our trust in God, we will no longer be afraid of the things that come against us and with confidence say with David 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? 

David was under extreme pressure the wicked and evildoers were coming to devour his flesh (27:2). They were breathing out violence (27:12). However, in the midst of these threats he says in v3 "Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.” 

Brothers and sisters, I think in this Life there will be times of fear but looking to God and finding his peace will reduce some of our fears and insecurities. 

Something that really challenges me in Psalm 27:4 is where David 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, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” 

David’s desire is to be in the presence of God and to gaze upon the beauty and splendour of His majesty and seek His face. For David there was nothing greater in life than knowing and living for God. Brothers and sisters what is the desire of your heart?  I don’t know about you but my desire is to know and have a deeper and closer relationship with God?

David believed that he would not fall before the enemies surrounding him v5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. David's gratitude for the Lord's protection found expression in shouts of joy and singing praises to the Lord. v6 "Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.”

Person Prayers: