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FEAR AND FAITH IN THE SAME HEART– As mentioned in the overview, this
psalm is remarkable in the way that it mingles the language of fear with the
language of faith and confident trust in God’s help. On one hand the
psalmist boldly shouts, “The Lord is my Light and my Salvation.” Yet,
beginning at verse 7, the psalmist pleads for mercy and divine intervention
from his enemies. As one commentator points out, “Psalm 27 invites
reflection on the relationship between faith and fear. By imagining the
situation of our psalmist, who although threatened by violence, yet stands
steadfast in faith in God’s goodness, perhaps we can gain some inspiration
for our own lives, when we become anxious over far less.” [1]
A GOSPEL ECHO – This strange admixture of faith and fear also shows up in
the ministry of Jesus when, on one occasion Jesus happens to be present at
the precise time when tragic news breaks that a little girl--to whom Jesus
was on his way to heal--had suddenly died. “Do not fear, only believe,”
Jesus tells the parents (Mark 5:36). Those pastoral words summarize well the
message of Psalm 27. In the presence of dire threat to life (vv. 2-3, 12),
the psalmist dares to believe: “even then will I be confident” and “I
believe” (v. 13). [2]
Faith and Fear--both start with the same letter and both, it seems, can
be found in our lives simultaneously. Can you think of a time when you
discovered just such a struggle between fear and faith? Any of the following
trigger some reflection of fear and faith? A threat of violence, a physical
challenge, a struggle at work, a relationship disaster in the family,
marriage, or in the church? How was such fear challenged by an unspoken
confidence or knowing that God was a very present help in time of trouble?
On this third Sunday in Epiphany, Psalm 27 would provide a great
conversational partner with the other texts that speak to the theme of
divine light as illumination, but more importantly, of light as the presence
of God among us.
The psalm could also provide a great call to worship that sets the
worship them of the Epiphany Season.
Finally, this psalm could provide the worship leader with evocative
images and contrasts for composing a wonderfully pastoral prayer for this
Sunday in Epiphanhy.
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