1 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.
5 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.
6 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.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
8 You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you,
“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”
9 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!
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
but the Lord will take me in.
11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they breathe out violence.
13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living!
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!
My first impression of this psalm is this is the time for this message. As Isis spreads like a cancer around and among us, we need to recall that our God is the victor. He alone is our guide and our rescuer. He alone is our protector. In Him we have NOTHING to fear! Praise Him! Though we see the world celebrating evil, we have the everlasting assurance that the battle has already been won. God and His people will prevail. The historical David was also surrounded by the enemy. His response? Verse 4: to ask to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life and to gaze upon His beauty.
As believers, we can respond to evil in the same way. Our God is sovereign now and forever. I've often said that the worst that can happen is that we all die and go to heaven. God has our backs! He will protect us when we need protecting. Even when those closest to us reject us, He will be faithful. He will raise us up as victors with Him. And we will respond with joyful singing. David asks to be taught His ways. He knows the blessings he will enjoy if he walks with his God.
So believers, Wait for the Lord! Be strong! Take courage! The Victory of the Lord is ours!