Psalm 27:1-5

For Reading and Meditation:     Ecclesiastes 11:7-9

Do you need permission to enjoy life? Then Solomon gives it to you in these verses. I love the Moffatt translation of verse 7, which reads thus: "Sweet is the light of life and pleasant is it for the eyes to see the sun." While Solomon is clearly talking about natural light, these words are also symbolic. God is...

"The Lord is my light and my salvation." Here is personal interest, "my light," "my salvation;" the soul is assured of it, and therefore declares it boldly. Into the soul at the new birth divine light is poured as the precursor of salvation; where there is not enough light to reveal our own darkness and to make us long for the Lord Jesus, there is no evidence of salvation. After conversion our God is our joy, comfort, guide, teacher, and in every sense...

There is a time of trouble. It comes once and again. Murmur not against it. Say not, let mercy appear in the exemption from trouble. Mercy requires that there should be tribulation. There are some gems in your breastplate that only give forth their lustre when trouble comes nigh to you.

Your heart is agitated at its approach. It comes perhaps in such an unexpected guise. It appears so irresistible; you seem so helpless. You have what has long been thought by you a trusty blade, but it...

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? § He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on 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. § My flesh and my heart fail; but God is...

I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing; I have come into deep waters where the floods overflow me. § Waters flowed over my head; I said, “I am cut off!” I called on Your name, O LORD, from the lowest pit. You have heard my voice: “Do not hide Your ear from my sighing, from my cry for help.” You drew near on the day I called on You, and said, “Do not fear!”Will the LORD cast off forever? And will He be favorable no more? Has His mercy ceased forever? Has His promise failed...

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; the God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my Savior. § The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. § We may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not...

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. § He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established; he will not be afraid, until he sees his desire upon his enemies.Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. § In the time of trouble He shall hide me in...

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. § I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, and not forsake them.Yea,...

One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. § He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness. § I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never...

There are many who say, “Who will show us any good?” Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased.As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. § O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.I am the bread...