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? (Psalm 27:1)
Dear People Who Keep Company with God,
One of the Bible’s greatest heroes is King David. He is known for many things, such as being a shepherd, warrior, and prophet. But David referred to himself as the “sweet psalmist of Israel.” (2 Samuel 23:1) David built a dwelling place for God, referred to as the Tabernacle of David. Anyone could come and experience God there. It is the only dwelling place in the Bible that God said would be re-built so all men can seek Him (Acts 15:16-17). The defining characteristic of David’s Tabernacle is worship. David understood that a vital part of a life well-lived is to declare that God is worthy and worth more than everything else put together.
Psalm 27 gives us insight into David’s heart. It begins with David declaring the truth. He speaks of God as his revelation, a light that guides him along the way. He says that God defends him every day, and because of it, he fears no one. The entire Psalm is about having a fearless faith. And David knew all about fears, as his many enemies were always lurking around. Yet, he found refuge and peace in God. David made it clear that his fearless faith was rooted in worship. “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.” (Psalm 27:4) The Passion Translation says, “To behold His marvelous beauty, filled with awe, delighting in His glory and grace.” The footnote in my Bible defines worship as being “captured by the awesomeness of God each time we come before Him and rejoice in his friendship.” The more we perceive His greatness, power, love, and character, the more we will understand His worth, and our worship will go deeper.
Out of a heart of worship, David boldly declares, “For in 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.” (Psalm 27:5) David did not say that because he worshiped trouble would not bother him. He experienced the same emotions of fear, worry, and despair that we all face. But because David honored the Lord in worship, he did not fall victim to the difficulties that came his way. Worship fortifies our faith because love energizes faith (Galatian 5:6).
Our highest calling is to be a worshiper. Jesus said, “the Father is seeking worshipers” (John 4:23). Jesus also made it clear that worship is better than serving Him (Luke 10:42). It is the only calling that will last for all eternity. The heart of worship declares Jesus as Lord, and it makes Him central. Worship orients our being, imagination, will, hope, and dreams away from the world, its’ troubles, and our selves towards the Person of Christ. As we worship, the eyes of our understanding are enlightened, and we can see the way through the storms of life (2 Corinthians 5:7). Like David, our faith will grow fearless. We can boldly proclaim in troubling times: the “Lord shall hide me” and the “Lord shall set me high upon a rock.”
Many Blessings, BW