War Cry - April, 2013 Page 29

But David's daily dangers helped him realize the

safety that was his in God, as evidenced in Psalm 27.
The first words ring out confidently, even as the writer
stands amid his foes. "The Lord is my light and my sal-
vation--whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold
of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1) The
light of God shows the way while also revealing hidden
danger. Salvation speaks of being rescued from certain
danger. Further, David proclaims that the Lord is su-
premely protective, his stronghold, a safe place out of
the enemy's reach. This leads him to ask two bold ques-
tions: Whom shall I fear? Of whom shall I be afraid?

As David continued his song of full assurance (vs.

2,3), he was able to say that when the enemy attacked
seeking to harm him, the tables were turned and they
were the ones who fell. Even though the enemy might
have been at the gate, God with him was so much
greater than the foe facing him. The fears that surfaced
were quickly quieted.

David deliberately sought God's presence where

he found unspeakable relief. "One thing I ask from the
Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house
of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty
of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple" (vs. 4). A
child wants everything he sees, but maturity brings
focus. So David, in his seeking is not looking to a larger

The War Cry | APRIL 2013

army, stronger fortifications, a more loyal bodyguard,
but to dwell in the house of the Lord. It is here that
David would seek to meet God, to gain insight. When
we look at the world, it is filled with peril. While the
dangers may not drop away as we focus on God, we find
a proper perspective in viewing them.

That is not to say that David did not feel fear, as

evidenced in verses 7-12. Typical of these fears are
those mentioned in verse 12: "Do not turn me over to
the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against
me, spouting malicious accusations." To be human is
to experience fear at one time or another, to face foes
that are malicious and inflict injury. But the believer

has the confidence that, as
frightening as a situation is,
the God who delivered him in
the past will shelter him in
the present. The first verse
echoes again in the hours
when dread clutches the
heart, when doubt assails be-
lief. "The Lord is my light and
my salvation--whom shall I
fear? The Lord is the strong-

hold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?"

Feeling this, we can hear David's heart quiet. "I

remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the
Lord in the land of the living" (vs. 13). Though the night
be starless, the darkness impenetrable, the dawning sun
will chase it away. Though a tsunami blasts past the
beaches, it must soon surrender all the land it claimed as
it meekly retreats to the sea. Though the winds explode
through the countryside and town, they must still to a
whisper. And though evil invades the land, it is destined
to retreat in utter defeat.

David proclaims, "I will see the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living." Yes, eternity is in the hands of
God and He will triumph over all. But He is not waiting
for some unmarked future to deliver. His unmistakable
action will show that He is at work in this very moment.

The heart that was pounding now slows as it is at

rest. Panic is noisy, but trust is quiet. God is the shel-
ter, the stronghold, the covering hand. He is not baffled
by events, not intimidated by gathered enemies. He will
act, not a minute early nor a minute late, but in His per-
fect time. David counsels, "Wait for the Lord; be strong
and take heart and wait for the Lord" (vs. 14).

Major Allen Satterlee is Editor�in�Chief

and National Literary Secretary.

Bible

Study

............

AS A SHEPHERD BOY HE BATTLED BEAR AND LION,

but when David let fly the stone that felled the mighty Goliath, his life as a war-

rior began. At the hands of another giant, it almost ended (2 Sam. 21:16,17). Age

had taken its toll on the king and, had it not been for Abishai defeating David's

attacker, that day would have been his last. His troops could not bear to lose him,

urging him to retire permanently from the battlefield. Nor was danger restricted

to the battlefield. There were always rival kingdoms that would see his death

as the key to defeating Israel. And assassinations were common ways for the

ambitious to seize power. Threats, like a shadow, followed David's every step.

AS A SHEPHERD BOY HE

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