Favorite Scripture Friday: Psalm 27

Welcome to the inaugural post in a new series known as Favorite Scripture Friday, where I share a particular verse or passage that speaks to me.  (Yes, I just explained that.  With such a misleading title as Favorite Scripture Friday, I'm sure you were completely puzzled as to its contents.)

For years, whenever I heard the word Psalms, my mind immediately thought of David, the 23rd Psalm, and poems of thanksgiving.  However, as I've read the Psalms I realized that there is so much more to Psalms than David, poems, and thanksgiving.

And there's one psalm that consistently speaks to me every time I read it: Psalm 27.

                                                 Psalm 27

 1The 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?

2When the wicked advance against me

to devour27:2 Or slander me,

it is my enemies and my foes

who will stumble and fall.

3Though an army besiege me,

my heart will not fear;

though war break out against me,

even then I will be confident.

4One 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.

5For in the day of trouble

he will keep me safe in his dwelling;

he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent

and set me high upon a rock.

6Then my head will be exalted

above the enemies who surround me;

at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make music to the Lord.

7Hear my voice when I call, Lord;

be merciful to me and answer me.

8My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”

Your face, Lord, I will seek.

9Do not hide your face from me,

do not turn your servant away in anger;

you have been my helper.

Do not reject me or forsake me,

God my Savior.

10Though my father and mother forsake me,

the Lordwill receive me.

11Teach me your way, Lord;

lead me in a straight path

because of my oppressors.

12Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,

for false witnesses rise up against me,

spouting malicious accusations.

13I remain confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living.

14Wait for the Lord;

be strong and take heart

and wait for the Lord.

Source:  https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PSA.27.niv

Why do I like this passage?  Let me count the ways:

1. It reminds me of worship in college-going to FCA on Wednesday nights and singing the worship song "The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation-Whom Shall I Fear?" (And even typing that sentence makes me realize how old I am.  FCA didn't start until 9 pm on Wednesday nights.  The thought of going anywhere at 9 pm now is-to put it mildly-laughable.)
2. It serves as a reminder that because of the Lord I need not fear (and this is something I struggle with, even despite this verse).  Yes, the world has scary people and things in it, but God is still in control.   
3. It reminds me that evil will come against me-doesn't say if/should evil, but WHEN it does, God is not caught off guard.  So I need to understand that though hard times are inescapable, God is still sovereign, holy, and good.   
4. This psalm encompasses many emotions, from bold, daring confidence to humble pleas of not being forsaken to waiting quietly on the Lord.  As much as I try to downplay and control it, I'm more emotional than I care to be.  This psalm comforts me in respect to the fact that David was considered a man after God's own heart and he experienced a vast amount of emotions.

So there you have it-Favorite Scripture Friday #1 is in the books!  How about you?  Any favs you'd like to share?