Overcoming Fear
Psalm 27
Two weeks ago we looked at Jesus’ instructions to His disciples in Matthew 10 as He sends them to preach the Kingdom of God in a hostile world, and the theme was “Do Not Fear”. Last time, we considered the Christmas Story from Luke and again the theme was “Fear Not”. Now, as we close out the year 2023 and begin 2024, the Lord has led me to Psalm 27 where again, the theme is overcoming fear. David begins this psalm by making two statements about the Lord God, and then asking the rhetorical question, “Whom shall I fear?” Listen to verse 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?” (Ps. 27:1).
David’s circumstances could have produced great fear. He had evildoers coming at him to devour his flesh (Ps. 27:2). He had an entire army encamped against him (Ps. 27:3). He was being falsely accused and his enemies were breathing out violence (Ps. 27:12). David is praying for his life. He was facing life-threatening danger and yet David could say, “My heart shall not fear” (Ps. 27:3).
We live in difficult times today. Many people fear what is happening now and fear for the future. How do we overcome fear?
David overcame fear by clinging to the Lord. Let me give you just a quick outline of this Psalm that teaches us to overcome fear by clinging to the Lord.
To overcome fear…
1. Cling to the Lord’s protection (Ps. 27:1-3).
David was a mighty warrior who had defeated the giant Goliath. He commanded an army of mighty men of valor. But David does not boast in his wisdom or strength. He declares, “The LORD is my light and my salvation … The LORD is the strength of my life” (Ps. 27:1). When the Lord God is your light and salvation, when the He is your stronghold, you are in a formidable place of protection. With the Lord as your protection, no matter what the enemy throws at you, you need not fear.
Second, to overcome fear…
2. Cling to the Lord’s presence (Ps. 27:4-6).
David writes, “One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: 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.” (Ps. 27:4).
David isn’t just praying for an escape from his troubles, but for an ongoing experience of God Himself, both in this time of trouble and forever thereafter. He wants his fear to drive him to a deeper experience of the Lord Himself. We will overcome our fears to the extent that we focus on the Lord Himself and are captivated with His glorious beauty. Make that the one thing you seek: To dwell in the Lord’s presence and to behold His beauty all the days of your life.
To overcome fear, cling to the Lord’s protection and His presence. Thirdly…
3. Cling to the Lord’s promises (Ps. 27:7-12)
In the second half of the psalm, David prays that the Lord will hear him, care for him, and guide him. His prayer is based on the promises of God. He sought the Lord believing God would hear him. He trusted in the Lord believing that God would not forsake him. He followed the Lord believing that God would lead him.
Finally, to overcome fear…
4. Cling to the Lord’s power (Ps. 27:13-14)
David concludes his prayer saying, “13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would 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 your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” (Ps. 27:13-14).
“I would have lost heart” at the beginning of Psalm 27:13 is added by the translators because the Hebrew breaks off abruptly. You could almost translate it: “If I hadn’t believed . . . I would see God’s goodness in this life.” It’s almost as if David is saying, “If I didn’t have God in my life, if I didn’t believe and trust in Him . . .” and then he shudders at the thought. He can’t even complete his sentence. Have you ever felt that way? “If I didn’t have God in my life, I don’t know how I could ever get through.”
David was confident that God would redeem him in this lifetime, and he was willing to wait upon the Lord for his deliverance. David is taking the long-term approach here. He’s praying for his life, for the duration of his life.
I challenge you to pray for your life starting today. Look to God in times of trouble; come to God for strength every day; commit to a lifetime of persevering prayer. Take heart and be strong! You will see God’s goodness in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord.
