The unexpected in life often intrudes at the most inopportune time. An unexpected bill, untimely car repair, or unwanted diagnosis can all arrive without warning. And like the cold winter air returning after a day that was sunny and warm, life’s surprises can leave you feeling numb. When this happens, it’s good to know you’re not alone. The Psalmist often encountered the same troubles. When he did, he cried out to the Almighty, reminding himself that there is unshakeable confidence with God.
Psalm 27 is one of my favorite Psalms. This Psalm is a prayer proclaiming the mighty power of God. When you read it, you will see that putting your confidence in God instills strength amid trouble, creates the proper desires in life, helps you to pray rightly, and allows you to wait on God to answer in His time. I would encourage you to stop right now and take a few minutes to read Psalm 27, it’s only 14 verses.
The Psalm begins by proclaiming confidence in who God is and what that means. “God is my light and salvation” shows you that God is a personal God watching over you as an individual. He is your stronghold. Because of this, you need not fear anyone or anything. Whether you experience the attack of an individual or an army, your unshakable promise is that your enemies will fall, not you.
This confidence not only supports you in times of trouble, but it also helps you desire the best thing in life, which is to dwell in the very presence of the Lord each day. There are times in everyone’s life when this central theme appears to lose its prominence. For the Psalmist, the arrival of trouble refocuses his attention. This call to refocus is a great lesson for each of us. God hasn’t changed. He will still hide you in His shelter. When trials come, let this knowledge be your unshakable confidence.
When trials come though, you may not find it easy to go to the Lord. However, if you follow the example of the writer of Psalm 27, you will find out that’s exactly what he does. And arriving at the throne room of heaven, he finds comfort. In verse 10, we see that even if a father or mother would forsake their child, the Lord will take you in. God will lead you and teach you. So, let your unshakable confidence bring you to the Lord often, as you take time to pray.
Finally, let the promises found in Psalm 27 give you the unshakeable confidence that you can wait for the Lord. The promise remains true, “you will look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!” This poetic statement is a way of saying that even after death, you will live again in the presence of God. It was this confidence that made the Psalmist cry out to God, knowing that God hears, God answers, and God will act on his behalf. No matter what’s happening in your life right now, the same promise remains true for you. So, be strong, take courage, and wait for the Lord with unshakeable confidence.
