The pivotal verse in Psalm 27 is, “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take care of me.”
We are born into this world helpless and dependent on our parents, unfortunately as Psalm 27 goes on to say, some parents reject their children, and turn away in anger. In my 40 years as a Social Worker I have seen parents neglect and cruelly abuse their children in sometimes careless ways and sometimes vile and unspeakable ways that I will not even describe here.
Though earthly parents may selfishly reject, ignore, or abuse their children, David tells us about our heavenly Father, our Creator God who will both tenderly care for us and never leave or forsake us all the days of our lives.
| Psalm 27 Of David | A Sermon in Three parts |
| The Lord is my light and my salvation – Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the refuge of my life – Of whom shall I be afraid? | I. David’s Sermon: I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12 Christ is our Savior, our Light, our Refuge, in the past, present and future. |
| When evil men advanced against me to devour my flesh, When enemies and foes attacked me, they stumbled and fell. | A. Past: As David reflects on his life he can recount how, in the past, his heavenly Father protected him when he had been attacked by others. |
| Though an army besieges me, my heart will not fear; Though war breaks out against me, I will be confident. | B. Present: Because the heavenly Father protected David in the past, David is now confident that God will protect him through his current conflicts. |
| One thing I asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; At his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. | C. Future: Because his heavenly Father had stood by David in the past and stands by him in the present, David is confident that when future troubles come, as they always do, God will keep him safe in has dwelling. While the temple is no longer with us, Peter teaches that God has made his church into community of chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, I Peter 2:10 We are to love each other as Christ loved us, (John 15:12) and carry each other’s burdens, (Galatians 6:2) |
| Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; Be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. | II. David’s Prayer: Four (4) things every child needs from their parents. 1. Hear When We Call: Ask and it will be given, seek and you will find. Matthew 7:7 |
| Do not hide your face from me, Do not turn away your servant in anger;You have been my helper. Do not reject or forsake me O God my savior. | 2. Acceptance: Do not be afraid … for the Lord you God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 |
| Though my father and mother forsake me, The Lord will take care of me. | God adopted us as his children through Jesus Christ Ephesians 1:5 |
| Teach me your way, O Lord; Lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. | 3. Guidance: I will instruct you and teach you … I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8 |
| Do not turn me over to the greed of my foes, For false witnesses rise up against me, Breathing out violence. | 4. Protection: The Lord is faithful, he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 |
| I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord. Be strong let your heart be bold. Yes, wait for the Lord! | III. Application: You can be confident, you will experience the goodness of your heavenly Father in this life but this may not necessarily happen on you timetable. Be patient. Galatians 5:22 Don’t give up hope, Yes, wait for the Lord! |
No matter the shortcomings of our earthly parents we can be assured that our Heavenly Father will always hear us when we call to him. He loves us and accepts us as we are. He is always willing to guide us in the way we are to go and, as we follow him he will always faithfully protect us.
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