LORD’S DAY, JULY 29
Psalm 27:1-14
1 Samuel 30:1-6

“In Thy House are joys evermore.”

“BUT DAVID ENCOURAGED HIMSELF IN THE LORD HIS GOD”

Our heading above from 1 Samuel 30:6 describes David’s utter loneliness, being blamed even by his closest comrades. When a Christian is hemmed in on all sides there is only one way to look for help -- upwards. What a contrast with Stoicism that moans, “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul” (William Ernest Henley, 1849-1903).

David, now on the run from his enemies (Ps 27:2-3), was deprived of worship in the Lord’s House (Ps 27:4). He was parted from his father and mother (Ps 27:10). He was being maligned by false accusations (Ps 27:12). This Psalm may be composed during David’s flight from Saul. Was it composed during his brief stay with Achish king of Gath? Or was it the overflow of his heart after he had found temporary shelter in the cave of Adullam? Or, more properly, after he had committed his father and mother to the king of Moab? Those were trying times that stretched his sinews to the limit. This Psalm, though penned in the darkest night, glows with the fugitive’s hope and assurance of the daylight of salvation. Let this Psalm shed light on your pathway. Let this Psalm be a balm for your soul.

Scharansky, a Jewish human rights fighter, was imprisoned by the Soviets. He was sustained by reading a little book of Psalms (in Hebrew) which his wife had smuggled in for him. When the guard wanted to take away the little book, he held so fast to it that in the struggle for possession between warder and prisoner, he fell onto the snow hugging the little book in his arms. He told the world that it was the Psalms that had saved him from death. This Psalm may be outlined thus:
1. Self encouragement in the Lord (v 1-3)
2. Communion with the Lord (v 4-6)
3. Prayer to the Lord (v 7-12)
4. Self-encouragement in the Lord (v 13-14)

THOUGHT: Trust in the Lord and don’t despair, He is a friend so true!
No matter what your troubles are, Jesus will see you through.
PRAYER: May I go always to Thy Psalms, the balm for my soul.