This is a Psalm of confidence. The godly can face any trial confidently because the Lord is “my light and my salvation … the strength of my life.” But this is not confidence without good reason. It is not only about who God is (v1); it is about the patient faith of the godly (v4-6). It is not only because of the memory of God’s previous help (v2); it is about the continuing faithfulness of the man of God (v11-14).
Consider this carefully. The promise of God in v1 that we often quote is conditioned upon the singleness of heart on the part of God’s man, to seek God and God alone. When we use the word “conditioned” it is not in the sense of some bargaining ploy by God, as if He were saying “give me what I want and I’ll give you what you want.” It is a logical condition, if you will. We are in the secure place when we are dwelling in His house and inquiring at His temple (v4). It is then that we are hidden in His pavilion, in the secret place of His tabernacle (v5).
It is a simple thought. If the king tells the citizenry that he can and will protect them from the enemy if they take refuge in his castle, then that is the place to be. The king has all the means to do this; the citizens have nothing. But if a citizen determines to take matters into his own hands and run from the approaching enemy or hole up in his house then he forfeits what the king has promised. The king is not considered to be unreasonable or cruel because he does not send soldiers out to defend the citizen. Rather the citizen is considered foolish.
In this sense grace is conditional. Now don’t reject this thought. Scripture is clear that grace, unmerited favor, is not based on our works or our measuring up to some standard whereby we make ourselves worthy. But grace saves us through faith (Eph. 2:8). Apart from faith grace is offered but not experienced. Consider these promises to Christians and their “context.”
· Matthew 6:33: Jesus promises to care for us in terms of basic, daily needs; but only as we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
· Matthew 28:19-20: Jesus promises to actively be with believers, but only as they are making disciples of all nations.
· Philippians 4:10-13: The confidence of “I can do all things” is only “through Christ who strengthens me.” I must be in a relationship with Him that draws upon His strength, a relationship whereby we have learned contentment.
· Philippians 4:14-20: Again, the great and oft-quoted promise of God’s supply of every need (v19) is given to people whose relationship with God has produced generosity. In other words, as noted above, they are joined with the Apostle in making disciples and thus Paul can promise God’s provision.
In every situation our confidence in God is both the means of receiving His grace as well as the result of receiving His grace. And this is seen in Psalm 27. David was in the place to receive God’s grace and that place was in God’s presence. Thus David desired one thing from the LORD: to be in His presence! Is this not the lesson of Mary and Martha? One thing was needed and Mary had chosen that when she sought to be in the presence of our Lord (Luke 10:41-42). Is this not what our Lord taught? “Do not labor for food which perishes, but for food which endures to everlasting life” (John 6:27).
Do not miss the idea of “faith” and “faithfulness”. When David prays “teach me Your way, O LORD” (v11) he is saying that he is not only in God’s presence today but that he intends to stay there. He is in a place of waiting for God’s deliverance (v14) and realizes that he cannot lose heart and go out of the “castle” of God’s safety and try to make it on his own.
So you see that in all ages God’s people have found His grace/goodness by faith. David says, “unless I had believed” (v13). No one who waits on the LORD will be ashamed (Ps. 25:3). So may our faith (The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear) be faithful (Wait, I say, on the LORD). May our heart's desire be to seek the LORD, and our ongoing prayer be “Teach me Your way.”
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