Psalm 27: Be Strong and Courageous
Psalm 27
Be Strong and Courageous
14. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
◇ Psalm 27 is divided into five stanzas. The first stanza (verses 1-3) praises God as our refuge. The second stanza (verses 4-5) fervently seeks God's protection in His shelter and tent. The third stanza (verse 6) speaks of offerings and praise. The fourth stanza (verses 7-10) is a plea for help, asking God not to hide His face, not to abandon or forsake, but to help. The final stanza (verses 11-14) praises the goodness of the Lord and conveys words of God's comfort.
As I meditate on Psalm 27, I am reminded of many of God's coworkers. In particular, those who are in dire straits due to severe illness and colleagues who are weary from ministry. I can imagine how earnestly they must have relied on God and sought Him as their refuge, just like David in Psalm 27. If David had evil adversaries, these people face illnesses they cannot control and valleys in their ministry they cannot overcome despite their efforts. David expressed his struggles by saying even his parents had forsaken him, highlighting hardships where even family cannot help and must stand by helplessly. This makes them seek and plead with God even more fervently, imagining David's heart as he earnestly begs God not to forsake or abandon him, even when God seems hidden and invisible.
I think the two people who come to mind now must have hearts similar to David's in Psalm 27. Not only them, but countless others around the world are like David. In Gaza, in Ukraine, in refugee camps, in drought-stricken areas of Africa...
David seeks God amidst his distress. God speaks words of comfort, encouragement, and hope to him.
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (verse 14)
♧ God, have mercy on those in situations so dire that even their loving families cannot help, those who can only shed tears and worry. Do not forsake them, do not abandon them, but be their strength and refuge! Holy Spirit, lead them in truth. Amen.