The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.

The present reality of the psalmist is full of threats. The wicked are advancing against him. Armies are besieging him. War is breaking out against him. It’s a bad time. While the threats I face are not the same, they are threats nonetheless. There are things in my life that are difficult and scary. No, there’s no one waiting to assail me and devour my flesh (at least that I’m aware of)… but I have my own reasons to be afraid.

AND…

The LORD is my light and my salvation!

Everything doesn’t have to be right in my life or in the world around me for this to be true. There will ALWAYS be threats. There will ALWAYS be struggles. There will ALWAYS be loss and grief. Even still I will fix my gaze on the one who gave me a spirit that is not shaped and conditioned by fear. The one who gave me a spirit, formed in the image of God who is the perfect image of power, love, and self-control. And, along with the psalmist I proclaim, whom shall I fear?

Working it out as I go

Psalm 27:1-3