Psalm 27: 10-14
10 If my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will take me up.11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.
12 Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they are breathing out violence. 13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!
Take a Moment to Ponder
This popular Psalm is used by many in moments of fear to bring comfort, assurance, confidence and peace. Most of us are familiar with the first section of verse 1. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? We look beyond this popular first line and focus on the last set of verses. The Psalmist was facing serious trouble. In verse 10 he expressed confidence in God in the midst of his troubles. “If my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up.” The verse did not say his parents turned their backs on him. He said IF they were to turn their backs on him, God the loving Father will own him, comfort him and carry him in His arms in his time of weakness. He knew God would never reject him. The Lord’s bond with His people goes deeper than the deepest of human relationships. In this time of crisis, some people may feel as if loved ones are not standing by them and giving them the support that they so badly need at this time. The Psalmist knew the heart of people change with the seasons so just in case the ones who should love him the most turn away from him he confidently stated: “THE LORD WILL TAKE ME UP”.
The Psalmist then asks God to teach him His ways (verse 11). He was facing the threat of being lied upon. If he was found guilty he would be facing a harsh punishment. In those days witnesses played an important role in Israel’s judicial system because the accused had no defence lawyers to argue on his behalf. So facing the threat of death he wanted his heart to be in the right place. He wanted his steps to be made right. He wanted to be guided by God’s instructions. In this time of crisis as the number of confirmed cases rise each day, this increases the possibilities of us being directly affected. Our prayers must not only be Lord save ME or spare ME. Instead, the person who trusts in God prays Lord whatever comes I will always be serving you. Teach me your way.
As the people of God, we face a great enemy in the form of COVID-19. The Psalmist in verse 13 expressed confidence that he will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Brothers and sisters in Christ all the sermons, all the prayers meetings, all the services we have attended, all the communion we have ever received was preparation for a time like this. He says, “Don’t be afraid, because I have saved you.
I have called you by name, and you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.
When you cross rivers, you will not drown.
When you walk through fire, you will not be burned.
The flames will not hurt you.
3 This is because I, the Lord, am your God.
I, the Holy One of Israel, am your Savior. Isaiah 43: 1-3
Let us be confident in God that come what may HE WILL LIFT US UP. Let us pray for healing, protection, and deliverance; but also ask HIM to use you so you can be an example to others of what it means to trust in God.
Take Action: WE WAIT ON THE LORD
In the end, follow the words of the Psalmist and WAIT ON THE LORD. We wait on the Lord until deliverance comes from this crisis. As we wait we find purpose by asking Him to direct us so we are not led into temptation of any kind. God is always speaking to us and there is work for us to do even while we must ‘TAN A WI YAAD’. Isaiah 40:31 states, ‘But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.’
A Moment In Prayer
Give someone a call and pray this prayer for them:
God be:
Above you to bless you;
Below you to support you;
Before you to guide you;
Behind you to protect you;
Beside you to comfort you;
And inside you to sustain you.
Amen
Contributed by Rev Larius Lewis
