The Psalmist started out very confidently against his opposition in the first
3 verses.
Then suddenly his thoughts shifted toward a longing to be in the house of
God, where he could worship (behold the beauty of the Lord), study (to inquire
in His temple) in v.4 - He then noted in v.5-6 that dynamic (note the 3 "he
will" corresponding to the "I will")
Then, starting from v.7 on, the Psalmist got deeper in his desperation for
God. He cried to God, want an answer - asking God not to hide His face, not to
forsake him. We see the author clinging more to His God in the surrounding
oppositions. (Surprisingly it's the same oppositions he started out the Psalm
with the confident tone).
What had happened here?
In the light of this week Luke 13:31-35 passage and "The Passion" movie, I
see a lot of correspondence between this Psalm and Jesus. He started out
confidently in Luke 13, but eventually find himself deeper and deeper in God in
the garden of Ghethsemane. As Ray Anderson said, "He who walked on water became
so weak that could not carry his own cross; He who raise the dead became subject
to death and depend on God to vindicate himself. The divinity of Jesus disolve
deep within His humanity on the cross..."
We may started out confident, but eventually we should end up doing what
Jesus did and what the Psalmist described here, become so needily dependence on
God. It's so paradoxical, but many older and wiser Christians will be able to
point you to the same journey. For when we become weak, God become strong.
Coho, Midway City.
I cannot remember where I read this suggestion, but it makes all the
difference to me.
Try reading verses 7-14 first, then 1-7.
What a difference.
It is still, however questioning the second half is, a psalm of trust in the
face of darkness, questioning and adversity. It is belief in the promises of
God. Faith.
mm in pa
The Passion Movie by Mel Gibson takes Jesus Suffering to the threshold of
graphic brutality. What this psalm opens the door to discuss is the suffering
common in our human experience and what connection we find to Jesus suffering.
The suffering of Jesus is certainly a part of the New Testament witness, but
not in the context of "how much" he suffered, but why. Theology is paramount in
the story, not emotion. This is evident in the very concise depiction of Jesus
suffering and death. No attempt is made to describe in detail how he died or the
process of dying. The evangelists are seeking to elicit faith in those who
encounter the story,where Jesus suffering and death are the consequence of his
life and message. Psalm 27 is filled with enemies, struggle, and passionate
hope. Like Jesus passion, this psalm invites me to bring my suffering to the God
who is present in the world, who somehow suffers with me and others.
bobby in Tx.
Somehow I wrote something last night, but it didn't come through -- sorry.
Somewhere in one of my readings to prep this week there was a suggestion to
take verses 7-14 and read them first, then read 1-6.
Amazing what a difference it makes. It feels even more positive.
This is a psalm about trust, even in the dark times, trust in God's promises.
mm in pa
mm in pa: I'm not sure but that the original intention of the psalmist wasn't
to read this text the way it was written. We kid ourselves when we think that
reaching a certain 'place' with God guarantees we can't slide back into a
difficult situation. When I finally decided that what I was feeling and
experiencing really was God's call to ordained ministry, I was so pleased to
realize that I wouldn't have to worry about the struggles with temptation to
sins that I felt very weak and helpless against. I knew I wouldn't have to deal
with them any more. . . HA! I quickly discovered that no position or situation
in life offers us immunity from temptation, trials & tribulations. I think this
psalm, as is, offers a very realistic picture of the journey of faith. No matter
how far along the way we come, it isn't always a journey forward. How much more
powerful then is the expression of faith in vv. 13-14. In spite of the setbacks
the psalmist faces, there is still certainty that the goodness of God will win
out. Ken in WV
Ken in WV, We all have struggles with sin, temptations and trials no matter
where we are in our walk with Christ. When I feel that I am at my closest to Him
is when I will face a stronger attack against my faith. These trials and
tribulations are what makes us who we are. We are to count it all joy when we
have trials. These are the things that produce our spiritual maturity. James
1:2-4 We should not just ask for wisdom to escape these trials , but also wisdom
to endure them. I take comfort in this Psalm that I have a confidence that he
will deliver me from my enemies and set me upon that rock. But I must wait on
Him. Mike in NC
27:13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the
living.
What a wonderful hope! When and where have you (me, us) seen the goodness of
the Lord in the land of the living?
We have an 8 year old boy in our congregation who has been battling cancer
for about 2.5 years. Currently he is undergoing treatments in the Netherlands
and the procedure isn't covered by his parent's insurance. I challenged our
congregation to raise the $12,500 to pay for one of his treatments and we are
almost there. In our case the goodness of the Lord is evident through the love,
concern, and actions of God's people.
John near Pitts.
Lots of good discussion in the "previous contributions" section. I especially
appreciate the final comment, regarding how closely love of God and trust
(confidence) in God are linked.
This is week 3 of the Psalms/Jabez series. This week's Jabez line is "That
your hand would be upon me" -- in other words 'That your presence and power
would be with me'. Verse 1 and others are strong witnesses to God's presence and
power in our lives. I think the point about love & trust being closely linked is
important in relation to this.
other thoughts: In our drug-affected neighborhood there are kids who are
ignored or actively abused by their parents. verse 10 speaks clearly to them.
Courage is the ability to use the power within you to do that which is right
in the face of direct opposition to that "right" activity. That is why one often
sees it used in a military context -- but it is much broader than that. In the
context of Psalm 27, it is courage to face "enemies," "false witnesses" and
"adversaries." There is plenty about attempting to live the Life of Grace that
requires this kind of courage, i.e., to call upon that which is in us, namely
the living power of God and not merely reliance upon ourselves, because as was
discussed here last week, temptations and testing WILL come. So, take courage!
--Joel in BoCoMo
Courage -- a good example was last weeks gospel text where Jesus is faced
with the temptations and remains true to who he is despite what the devil tries
to tempt him to do. Jesus is true to his identity and remins faithful to the
claim that God has put on him at the Jordan baptism -- You are my Son, the
beloved, in whom I am well-pleased. It is that claim that each of us undergoes
in our baptism -- and it is that claim as a child of God that demands our
courage in a world that does not recognize Christ as living. The courage that
comes from within our identity is the courage that I believe will set us free.
Hope this helps -- Lori in Luckey
From a strictly pastoral point of view - assuming for a moment the
possibility of such a limitation [:-)] - I have found that many people from
'dysfunctional' family situations find great comfort in 27:10 - "When my father
and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up". That will preach! Brad T. in
MA
"I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the
living..." So many of us have a "sweet by and by" theology. Things may be rotten
here, but they'll be OK in heaven. Has contributed to a lot of folks being told
to keep to their "place" and not make trouble (poor folks, people of color, gay
folks, women...) because even if life is bad now, it'll be OK in heaven. This is
a powerful statement of faith - that justice is for now. God's goodness is for
here and now - not just the hereafter. It's for today - not just someday...
Margaret in Ohio
Adding to the comments about courage.. I am exploring (along with the Phil
text) confidence. The psalmist, and Paul, seem to have the confidence to face
life. I have taken particular note of 27:3. I want to focus the message on our
gaining confidence to face life. Doug(in CA)
I am interested in verse 8-9. "Your face, Lord do I seek". From the moment a
child is born, faces become the most desired objects to see. My theological
question is how do people see the face of God in the midst of suffering and
enemies? Where do we find God's face in tragedies such as the tornados of
Florida (I was in Orlando when they hit). For the girl who lost every member of
her household, where would she look to see God's face? Where have others found
the face of God in tragedy?
In re: to the face of God, perhaps a reading of Frederick Buechner's "The
Face in the Sky" which can be found in his book, The Hungering Dark might offer
some inspiration.
John near Pitts.
Doesn't "courage" literally mean strong heart? Cour from the French means
heart.
Preacherlady
