Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Sunday, January 6, 2019

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-01-06-2019

This is devotional thought number 13 in our devotional series, “The Gospel According to Psalms.”

“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? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, They stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: Though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; 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.” (Psalm 27:1–4).

I admire David’s positive outlook and steady focus of the Lord of his salvation. One of the dirtiest tricks the devil uses against God’s people is trying to isolate our thoughts and make us feel like we are alone. Then, obviously, that makes us feel hopeless. Do I need to fear loneliness when God is my salvation? No. Do I need to fear weakness when God is the strength of my life? No. Do I need to fear my enemies when God is on my side? No. Satan is the ultimate enemy, and since God is ready to be the light of my salvation, even that formidable enemy will stumble and fall when he and his hosts encamp against me.

David’s writings are full of sanctuary language. He said, as his enemies, even his foes stand in array against him, his ultimate desire and focus for seeking refuge was to dwell in God’s temple forever. Do you realize that the sanctuary of the Lord is a safe place, as the name denotes, for God’s people? Even in our common parlance we know of what are called sanctuary cities, where undocumented immigrants can find refuge from U.S. federal immigration enforcement. In the Bible, sanctuary cities were places of refuge to protect persons who accidentally killed someone, from the retaliation of loved ones. I am oversimplifying here, but follow me. David found peace in the idea that God’s sanctuary was a safe place from enemy attack. If he could continually adopt the sanctuary mindset, he could be at peace, no matter what trials he was experiencing.

In our days and times, the devil is constantly accusing us before the Father for spiritual crimes he incited. He is bitter because he has lost his position with God, and his attempt to overthrow the government of heaven failed miserably. We can repent and be saved, but he refused to repent and cannot be saved. This is why he has taken aim at us, but “The angel of the Lord encampeth Round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the Lord is good: Blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” (Psalm 34:7–8). When this chief of all enemies accuses us before the God of heaven we can find safety in the sanctuary. “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.” (Psalm 46:1–3). “For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: In the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock.” (Psalm 27:5). “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” (Proverbs 18:10). “Justice is driven back; godliness stands far off. Indeed, honesty stumbles in the city square and morality is not even able to enter. Honesty has disappeared; the one who tries to avoid evil is robbed. The Lord watches and is displeased, for there is no justice. He sees there is no...