DEAR GOD: You Are My Beacon & Light~

Lighthouse Sunset

 

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?
Psalm 27:2 (ESV)

 

A Beacon of Light

Psalm 27, attributed to David, is a profound expression of faith and trust in the Lord amidst adversity. It begins with a declaration of confidence: “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1 NIV)1. This opening verse sets the tone for the entire psalm, encapsulating the psalmist’s unwavering belief that God is a protective and guiding force against all fears and foes.

The psalm oscillates between expressions of fearless trust and earnest pleas for God’s presence. David speaks of enemies and war, yet he remains confident. This juxtaposition highlights a central theme: the power of faith to provide stability and courage, even when one is surrounded by threats.

Then further on, it reveals the psalmist’s deepest desire: “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” (Psalm 27:4 NIV) David yearns not for material wealth or victory over his enemies, but for the serene and continuous communion with God. This longing to be in God’s presence, to “gaze on the beauty of the Lord,” is a testament to the psalmist’s devotion.

The latter part of the psalm is a heartfelt plea for God’s mercy and guidance. David asks not to be forsaken and prays for deliverance from his adversaries. The emotional intensity of these verses conveys a sense of vulnerability, contrasting with the earlier declarations of confidence. It is a reminder that seeking God’s face is not a one-time act but a continual process of faith and reliance on divine guidance.

Psalm 27 concludes with an exhortation to “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:14 NIV) This final verse encapsulates the essence of the psalm: a call to patience and courage, affirming that trust in God is rewarded with strength and the fulfillment of His promises.

In essence, Psalm 27 is a microcosm of the spiritual journey. It captures the oscillation between confidence and doubt, presence and absence, and ultimately, the enduring faith that guides the believer through life’s tumultuous seas. It serves as a beacon of trust and devotion, illuminating the path for all who seek solace and strength in the divine.

When we place all of our trust and hope in the LORD, there isn’t anything we can’t accomplish or withstand, through Christ our LORD.  Superfluous things are non-existent – there reality is Christ, and the desire to commune with Him on a daily and intimate basis. When we ascribe to His doctrine, and His will for our lives, we get come ALIVE in His Presence and His Word.

As we take on more and more of the Word into our mind, heart, and apply it to our lives as it were, we begin to have a sense of what life “really is.” Life here on earth is fleeting. We are gone in a blink of the eye! We can die suddenly. And if so – are you confident that you will be in the Lamb’s Book Of Life?

One thing is certain – we all will physically leave this earth one day. Our flesh bodies will die, and our spiritual bodies will live on. However, when judgement day comes – the question is – will we be ready?

How’s your relationship with the LORD? Do you seek Him daily? Do you desire to be with Him exclusively for eternity? As David so passionately cries and laments in Psalm 27 – He wants to dwell in the house of the LORD forever – Do you?

“Dearest Heavenly Father, In the sanctuary of Your presence, I find light and salvation. Whom shall I fear? For You are the stronghold of my life. I come before You with a heart full of gratitude, Thanking You for the assurance that You are always nearby. In times of trouble, You protect me; You set me high upon a rock. Lord, I seek one thing—to dwell in Your house forever, to gaze upon Your beauty and to seek You in Your temple. In the quiet moments, in the chaos of life, Your presence is my constant desire. I surrender to You, O Lord, my worries and my foes. For even if friends and family forsake me, You will receive me. Teach me Your way, lead me on a straight path, despite my adversaries. I believe I will see Your goodness in the land of the living. So, I wait for You, Lord; I am strong and take heart as I wait. Thank You for being my light, my salvation, my refuge. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

 

 

DEAR GOD: I Trust You & Will Never Leave You

Trust in God in the Midst of Everything Going On | AirMaria.com

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” –Romans 8:35-37

Firmly holding on to the LORD in all we do or say is a sign of a “mature Christian.” It is the dedication and introspect of His Word and knowing Christ intimately that gives us our forbearance and strength to endure all things, and still cling to our faith.

  • Psalm 28:7 – The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him

When turbulence threatens to upset your way of life or an untimely incident appears on your doorway – that is when the roots of our Christian faith are put to the “test” as we express our believe and trust in God.

  • Proverbs 3:5 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Knowing He is there for us at all times is comforting and is one of the best things of accepting Jesus as our LORD and Savior. Knowing we are covered by His blood and that He ransomed us and redeemed us, and we are His, and He is ours!

No matter what circumstances you may be facing today, tomorrow or any day thereafter, have courage and be at peace – for the LORD God is with You. He will never leave you, or disappoint you. He is there for all the days of your life, and thereafter into the eternity.

  • Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever

Trust Him. Love Him. Talk to Him. Read His Word. It will make all the difference in your life. His promises are real, and so too is His love for you!

  • Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”.

“Father, thank You for being with me all the days of my life, may I be pleasing in Your eyes as I do all things unto You and give You all the glory now and always, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: Heal our Land and Hearts~

 

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Being faithful during times of turbulence could be difficult while glimpsing things that clearly can pass as “evil” on the loose on any given day in this world of today.

Altogether life can be daunting–and if we allow it–and discouraging.  However, with God in our corner, who can be against us?  (Romans 8:31). 

The Bible is filled with our Father’s promises from Genesis OT to the very last verse in Rev NT.  What also is apparent is His uncompromising love for His children.  There is God’s heart, and love, in between the verses, and all the way through, even when things seem harsh to the average “human being.”

When we see things through spiritual eyes we understand and begin to grasp reality with full force and feel peace in place of “fear.”  Because God didn’t create a spirit of fear: (2 Timothy 1:7 – For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind). 

Instead, He created us in perfect love:  1 John 4:18 – There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love).   And because of His miracle in creating us thusly, we are able to withstand and take on the horrific aspects of events that are in this world.  We are able to garner peace and light in a world of chaos and darkness.  We are able to sustain and be nourished through His love as the world seeks to destroy and corrupt.   

When we stand with God and walk according to His purpose and will for our lives, we are acknowledging Him and placing our trust in Him. He becomes our sanctuary and our refuge in times of trouble and horror.  But then again–He is our sanctuary and refuge in times of peace.  So therefore, He is our everything for everything and anything!

To be with God and knowing that He is holding our right hand. ( For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee Isaiah 41:13). He leads us with His right hand of righteousness.  This is a peace that surpasses our level of understanding, and there is no explanation other than to experience it for yourself.  The feeling and His love are everlasting.

So, take heart, the LORD is with you! He commanded us to have courage and not to fear!   (Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” Joshua 1:9).

Cry Abba Father and be at peace knowing that He hears us.  And He will never leave us nor forsake us.  (Romans 8:15 – For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father).

God is our helper in both good and bad times.  He is ever ready to lead us and guide us.  His outstretched hands are ready whenever we are ready to surrender ourselves to Him, now and always.

Remember in the Bible that God’s children weren’t affected by the “plagues” or the “curses” that took place around them.  His anointed were protected.  His followers who listened to His voice were protected.  Those who gave their lives and obeyed His commandments were protected.

So… fear not.

Write the Word in your heart so that you shall not forget or sin against Him, ((Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”Psalm 119:11) and take refuge in the Beautiful One of Heaven.

For He is with you always, even until the end of time (Matthew 28:20).

With all of His Words and His promises, I say this:  What then can man do to us?

Praise You Father, now and always, all glory and honor are yours, in Jesus Name, Amen!”

 

So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Hebrews 13:6 –

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 14