In Dire Times We Seek

Psalms 27 is my favourite Psalm... or shall I say song. Whenever I read it, I think of the song sung by Darlene and Hillsong Church. It's true, men seek God in times of desperate need, even the atheist (person who claim to believe that God cannot exists) cry out for divine intervention when distressed. People from rich and wealthy nations seem to have more difficulty worshipping the creator or believing in a god existance, they wonder, how can there be a god when there is so much suffering and pain and death in the world? What is God doing, does he care? Does it matter that entire nations are dying of Aids and/or starvation.

In contrast, many poverty stricken people are praising God, they are filled with the Holy Spirit, they worship despite pain, they sing out with all their hearts, despite hunger, they choose to workship the creator, despite a war-torn landscape. They sing in the God tongue despite knowing their entire families can be jailed and tortured if found. More Christians are persecuted today then ever before... 160,000 killed yearly for believing and declaring Christ is Lord.

I guess this psalm will speak different volumes to people in different situations. This song didn't make much sense or speak to me before I was serving Christ. But when ministry starts, and when there is a battle to change hearts, yes, this songs makes a lot of sense and brings a lot of comfort. The song focuses so much on the "Lord", not the problem, distressing situation or painful circumstance.



The LORD Is My Light and My Salvation
A Psalm of David.

1
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?

2
When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes,
came upon me to eat up my flesh,
they stumbled and fell.

3
Though a host should encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear:
though war should rise against me,
in this will I be confident.

4
One thing have I desired 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 behold the beauty of the LORD,
and to inquire in his temple.

5
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion:
in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me;
he shall set me up upon a rock.

6
And now shall mine head be lifted up
above mine enemies round about me:
therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy;
I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

7
Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice:
have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

8
When thou saidst, Seek ye my face;
my heart said unto thee,
Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

9
Hide not thy face far from me;
put not thy servant away in anger:
thou hast been my help;
leave me not, neither forsake me,
O God of my salvation.

10
When my father and my mother forsake me,
then the LORD will take me up.

11
Teach me thy way, O LORD,
and lead me in a plain path,
because of mine enemies.

12
Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies:
for false witnesses are risen up against me,
and such as breathe out cruelty.

13
I had fainted, unless I had believed
to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

14
Wait on the LORD:
be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart:
wait, I say, on the LORD.