Introduction: God doesn't mean much to many people. They don't pray to Him. His name is only on their lips when they swear and curse. They don't read His Word. They rarely go to church. To such people, God is seen as unimportant. He is irrelevant to their lives. But to the Christian, God is very near. We love Him, and we think about Him daily. We pray to Him often. We ask His blessing on our food. We read His Word, and we meditate on what it means. Here in Psalm 27 David reminds of of what God is to us, in three particulars.
I. God is our LIGHT (Ps. 27:1)
"The Lord is my light." And also verse eleven:
"Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path..."
We often read in the Bible that God is light, and that the Word of God is light:
Exo 13:21 By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.
2 Sam 22:29 You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into light.
Psa 19:8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
Psa 36:9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
Psa 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Psa 119:130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
John 9:5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
2 Pet 1:19 And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
We are often perplexed about matters of morality and faith. People often struggle with these issues, and come to wrong conclusions, because they won't accept the Word of God. Last week I was watching a TV show called the West Wing. It is about the President, and life in the White House. In this program, President Bartlett was struggling with the issue of capital punishment. He had been asked to commute the sentence of a condemned murderer. He was given advice by a Rabbi, by a Priest, and by his staff. Everyone said capital punishment was wrong. He himself quoted Genesis 9:6...
"Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man."
And then he said, "This can't be right. This Bible verse was written 3,500 years ago, and can't say anything to us about what is right or wrong in this modern world."
No one read Romans 13:4 to him: "For he (the ruler) is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer."
He asked the priest how he could know God's will. The priest said to him, God has sent you many people this week to tell you what is right: a rabbi, a priest, your staff. God has spoken to you, what more light do you want? You have rejected God's message.
He eventually allowed the condemned killer to be executed, for political reasons, even though he had decided in his heart that capital punishment was wrong. The program ended with President Bartlett on his knees with his priest in the oval office saying, "Forgive me father, for I have sinned." He had missed the message from God, because he and those around him refused to take the Bible seriously.
God's message to you this morning: We don't look to human opinion to find out what's right and what's wrong. God has given us light and knowledge in His Word. We must not turn away from it.
II. God is our Source of COURAGE (Ps. 27:1-3).
Psa 27:1 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?
Psa 27:2 When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.
Psa 27:3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.
David was sometimes afraid of war and physical death. He fought Goliath, the Philistines, Saul and even his own son. He was in danger of death many times.
Many American soldiers are in Iraq, in a place where the possibility of an enemy attack, and death, is real. Probably some of our soldiers are living daily in fear of death. We need to pray for them.
You and I hardly ever fear death from a physical attack, although it could happen if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time. But we do fear many other things: Loss of a job. Inability to pay debts. Confrontations with a nasty boss. Making a speech. Applying for a loan. Confrontations with an angry spouse or parent. Not getting our homework done on time. Getting an "F" in school. Etc. Etc.
When we respect God, and trust in Him, we will not be afraid. When we put our lives in God's hands, and desire only His will, we will conquer fear.
Psa 56:3 When I am afraid, I will trust in you.
Psa 56:4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?
Prov 3:24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Prov 3:25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
Prov 3:26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.
Luke 12:7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Luke 12:8 "I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God.
Heb 13:5-6 God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
Rom 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."
III. God is the One who fills this life with BLESSINGS.
Psa 27:4, 6, 13 "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: 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 seek him in his temple...at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD...I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living."
In other Psalms David rejoices in the thought of eternal life in Heaven, for example:
Psa 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,
Psa 16:10 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
Psa 16:11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
But there is an important principle here: The value of Christianity lies not only in "Pie in the sky, by and by." If a person loves Christ, and lives by God's rules, he will probably have a pretty wonderful life RIGHT NOW (there are exceptions, especially during times of persecution).
Psa 112:1-3 "Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house..."
Psalm 128:1-4 "Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table. Thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD."
Isa 32:17-20 "The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest...how blessed you will be, sowing your seed by every stream, and letting your cattle and donkeys range free."
Conclusion: What is God to you? Do you know Him as your Savior and Lord? Is He a distant figure, or do you seek His face, and have you begun to walk with Him daily? What is God to us?