If you attend Lenten services, you probably notice the priest of pastor of the church you’re attending will read from different Psalms each Sunday of Lent. On the second Sunday of Lent, it is common for church leaders to take their reading from Psalm 27. Even though these verses do not directly discuss the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, there are some powerful truths expressed in Psalm 27 that we can rest in, especially when we are armed with the knowledge that our Savior arose from the dead in victory. Let’s take a deeper look at Psalm 27 and meditate on its meaning on this second Sunday of Lent.
Psalm 27:1 (TPT) The Lord is my revelation-light to guide me along the way; he’s the source of my salvation to defend me every day. I fear no one! I’ll never turn back and run from you Lord; surround and protect me.
Even though we don’t know exactly what David was facing when he penned Psalm 27, we can assume that he was facing a time of serious trouble in his life. David cited his need for divine direction and protection. Whatever was coming against David, he was able to rest in God’s revelation and salvation because he knew that God was his source. All of us have faced times where we needed God to surround and protect us, and we can rest in the confidence that He will.
Psalm 27:2 (TPT) When evil ones come to destroy me, they will be the ones who turn back.
As children of God, we face the attacks of the evil one. Paul told the Ephesian church that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities and powers of darkness (Ephesians 6:12). However, we do not face those enemies on our own. Because we belong to God, He fights those enemies on our behalf, and we can rest in the promise that our enemies are defeated because no weapon that is formed against us will prosper (Isaiah 54:17).
Psalm 27:3 (TPT) My heart will not be afraid even if an army arises to attack. I know that you are there for me, so I will not be shaken.
Fear is a natural human emotion. When we face uncertainty or something that seems bigger than us, it is only natural to experience fear. However, we do not have to be shaken by anything that comes against us because we can rest in the fact that if Christ was able to conquer death, He is able to conquer any evil forces that dare raise up against us.
Psalm 27:4 (TPT) Here’s the one thing I crave from God, the one thing I seek above all else: I want the privilege of living with him every moment in his house, finding the sweet loveliness of his face, filled with awe, delighting in his glory and grace. I want to live my life so close to him that he takes pleasure in my every prayer.
David shifted this Psalm from a plea for help to a time of worship. Ultimately, this verse encapsulates the spirit of the Lenten season. Instead of being focused on the troubles of daily life, we can shift our focus to getting as close to God as we possibly can, allowing ourselves to be “filled with awe” and delighting ourselves in His glory and grace.
Psalm 27:5-6 (TPT) In his shelter, in the day of trouble, that’s where you’ll find me, for he hides me there in his holiness. He has smuggled me into his secret place, where I’m kept safe and secure-out of reach from all my enemies. Triumphant now, I’ll bring him my offerings of praise, singing and shouting with ecstatic joy! Yes, listen and you can hear the fanfare of my shouts of praise to the Lord!
In these two verses, David experienced what we can experience when we truly embrace the heart of Lent. He became so wrapped up in God’s presence that he was solely focused on offering praise to God despite the troubles that had come against him. Instead of crying out in fear, he now offered “fanfare of shouts of praise.” Lent allows us to do the same.
Psalm 27:7 (TPT) God, hear my cry. Show me your grace. Show me mercy, and send the help I need!
The Easter season is the ultimate display of God’s grace and mercy. God’s willingness to offer His only Son as the sacrifice for our sins was the greatest display of grace and mercy that humanity has ever seen. Christ’s triumphant resurrection provided the help that we desperately need, as we realize that our enemy, Satan, has been defeated because Jesus is alive!
Psalm 27:8-9 (TPT) Lord, when you said to me, “Seek my face,” my inner being responded, “I’m seeking your face with all my heart.” So don’t hide yourself, Lord, when I come to find you. You’re the God of my salvation; how can you reject your servant in anger? You’ve been my only hope, so don’t forsake me now when I need you!
Lent is all about the children of God responding to God’s desire for us to seek Him. Over the course of the 40 days of Lent, we should point our hearts and minds towards God and His goodness. God wants us to seek Him every day, but Lent provides us the opportunity to truly do that. Through fasting, prayer and worship, we are able to seek Him, the God of our salvation with all of our hearts.
Psalm 27:10 (TPT) My father and mother abandoned me. I’m like an orphan! But you took me in and made me yours.
In the world we’re currently living in, many of us are dealing with isolation like never before. While there are certainly people who have been abandoned by their closest family members, even more people than ever are dealing with personal isolation. However, even in this era of “social distancing” and quarantines, we can rest in the fact that God is with us at all times.
Psalm 27:11-12 (TPT) Now teach me all about your ways and tell me what to do. Make it clear for me to understand, for I am surrounded by waiting enemies. Don’t let them defeat me, Lord. You can’t let me fall into their clutches! They keep accusing me of things I’ve never done while they plot evil against me.
In Revelation 12:10, Satan is called the “accuser.” Thousands of years before John penned his Revelation, David dealt with accusations. Thankfully, the Bible teaches us that Christ’s resurrection justified us (Romans 4:25), which means those accusations do not define how God sees us. We are found innocent in the eyes of God because of the price that Christ paid for our souls!
Psalm 27:13 (TPT) Yet I totally trust you to rescue me one more time, so that I can see once again how good you are while I’m still alive!
The story of Easter is essentially the greatest rescue mission in the history of the world. Twice in the second chapter of Ephesians (v2 & v.5), Paul told the church that we were “dead in our sins.” However, when Jesus died on the cross and raised again on the first Easter, we were rescued from that condition. Now we can rest in the promise that He will continually rescue us from what we face.
Psalm 27:14 (TPT) Here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting-for he will never disappoint you.
What a beautiful summation of this Psalm! For three days, Jesus was dead. It would have been easy for His disciples to give up and to become impatient. However, their faith was rewarded when they got to interact with the risen Lord. You and I can do the same. During this Lenten season, spend time allowing yourself to become “entwined as one” with the Lord as you wait for Him to deliver you. He will never disappoint you!
A Closing Prayer:
God, help me to be like David was in the 27th Psalm. Instead of focusing on the enemies that surround me, let me focus on the goodness of your grace and your mercy. Instead of fearing defeat, allow me to walk in the power of your triumphant victory of death and the grave. God, my life belongs to You and I want to be “entwined as one” with You. In Christ’s name I pray, Amen