BIBLE READING PLAN
WEEK 3 – EXITING OUR INSECURITIES
DAY 4
In our readings this week, we’re focusing on the key idea from Exodus chapters 3 & 4: “Overcoming insecurity starts by being secure in who you are in Jesus.” Today, we look at Psalm 27 and the source of David’s confidence (David was the second King of Israel)
Reading: Psalm 27:1-3
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.
Reflection:
Confidence in our circumstances comes from knowing the character of the God who is with us.
- How does David describe God in this Psalm? Do those characteristics help you look at your challenges differently?
- Think of something happening right now that worries or scares you. Talk to God about that.
Reading: Psalm 27
1 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?
2 When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.
4 One 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.
5 For 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.
6 Then 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.
7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do 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.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.
13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
Reflection
In verses 1-3, King David describes circumstances that progressively get worse: enemies advancing, besieging and finally launching all out war against him. Each of these scenarios would be enough to fill anyone with fear. But he says “my heart will not fear” and “even then I will be confident.” It sounds almost ridiculous. However, this confidence isn’t delusional. David has spent time with God (27:4-5) and has got to know his character (27:1-2). Even if God doesn’t come to his rescue immediately, he can wait on God (27:14) and be strong because He knows his God will come through for him. It’s the same for us. True security in our circumstances comes from getting to know the God who is with us.
- Recall a time when God came through for you. Thank God for that.
- What are the ways David describes God in this Psalm? What things does David ask of God in this Psalm?
- Think of something happening right now that worries or scares you. Talk to God about that using some of the prayers David prayed in this Psalm.
Reading: Psalm 27:1-3
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.
Reflection:
Is there anything that you are the BEST at? Better than all of your friends, or even all of your family? Maybe you are the BEST at a certain subject in school, and you always have the best grade in the class. Or maybe you are the BEST at your sport, and you’re always picked first when people are picking teams. Or maybe you’re the best at being funny, or nice, or caring. Chances are, there is something that you are the best at, or at least really really good at. I want you to think about that thing – are you confident in yourself when it come time to do it? Of course you are! If you are THAT good at it, then you are going to be super confident when it comes time to do it, or to perform, or to show it off. Now, I want you to think of something that you are the WORST at, or something you’re really bad at. Are you confident in yourself when it comes to it? No way! If you’re the worst at something, you’re going to be worried about it, and not want to do it. In our reading today, we read about someone saying a bunch of things that they are for sure not confident in. Things like war, evil, and wickedness. But guess what? Because of God, we don’t always have to be confident in our own abilities for everything! Just like it says in our Bible, if God is with us, who should we be afraid of? We can be the best at a lot of things, but God is the strongest at everything possible! With God on our side, we can be confident in His protecting of us.
- What are you the worst at (or really bad at)? What would it feel like suddenly be the BEST at that, overnight?
- What does it mean to be confident because God protects us? How does it change you?
Focus Verse: 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? Psalm 27:1
Devotional:
In verses 1-3 of Psalm 27, King David describes circumstances that progressively get worse: enemies advancing, besieging and finally launching all out war against him. But David says “my heart will not fear” and “even then I will be confident.” Even if God doesn’t come to his rescue immediately, he can wait on God and be strong because He knows his God will come through for him. It’s the same for us. True security in our circumstances comes from getting to know the God who is with us.
- Recall a time when God came through for you. Thank God for that.
- Think of something happening right now that worries or scares you. Talk to God about that, perhaps using some of the prayers David prayed in this Psalm.
Focus Verse: 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? Psalm 27:1
Devotional:
In verses 1-3 of Psalm 27, King David describes circumstances that progressively get worse: enemies advancing, besieging and finally launching all out war against him. But David says “my heart will not fear” and “even then I will be confident.” Even if God doesn’t come to his rescue immediately, he can wait on God and be strong because He knows his God will come through for him. It's the same for us. True security in our circumstances comes from getting to know the God who is with us.
- Recall a time when God came through for you. Thank God for that.
- Think of something happening right now that worries or scares you. Talk to God about that, perhaps using some of the prayers David prayed in this Psalm.
