The Day of Trouble
by Liz Griffin
Psalm 27 was written by King David 3,000 years ago. He opens with three metaphors and two questions. `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).
What do we do in times of great trouble? Do we live in fear or do we, despite the fear, choose to trust in God? Even if we are not personally going through a tough time right now, news of murder, violence, abuse, terrorism, wars, and suffering across the world are reported to us each day and may cause us to be overwhelmed by fear. Sometimes it is harder to watch others go through suffering than if we go through it ourselves. We feel so powerless to do anything much for them.
David says this: `When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident` (Psalm 27:2-3).
David chooses to actively seek the experience of God’s presence which he knows is wonderful and beautiful. `One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: 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 inquire in his temple` (Psalm 27:4).
He clearly proclaims his faith for the future. He trusts he will be hidden in God`s shelter and then lifted high upon a rock. His head will be lifted up in the presence of his enemies.
But David is not complacent. He does pray an urgent prayer to God for to help. He has not got the victory yet. There is uncertainty. There is a struggle with fear going on. This is then followed by a confident proclamation of faith. `I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!` (Psalm 27:13)
He finishes his psalm with an exhortation for us all. `Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!` (Psalm 27:14).
This is not by any means a passive waiting. For, as we read in Isaiah, `Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint` (Isaiah 40:30-31).
Liz Griffin lived for 20 years as an expatriate in South Africa, Bahrain and Japan, as her husband Paul worked for an international oil company. Paul and Liz became involved with Ellel Ministries in 1991 as part of the ministry team and joined the full-time team at Ellel Grange in 1995. Paul and Liz teach and minister to those seeking healing in their lives and together have written two books, 'Anger - How Do You Handle It' and 'Hope and Healing For The Abused'.
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