God at My Back

Psalm 27

Dr. Edwin P. Elliott

I. God Takes Care of His People

A. Believers have no basis for being afraid; God looks after them. “A Psalm of David. 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?” (Psalm 27:1)

B. Enemies of Christians eventually fail. “When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.” (Psalm 27:2)

C. Assaults invigorate believers. “Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.” (Psalm 27:3)

D. The unhappy world makes the house of God all that much more attractive. “One thing have I desired 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 behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4)

E. God shelters His own children. “For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.” (Psalm 27:5)

F. The certainty of God’s benevolent Providence is so great that believers can start praising Him for their deliverance as soon as they learn they face problems. “And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.” (Psalm 27:6)

II. Give God Life’s Burdens

A. Call out to God in times of trouble; suffering in silence is bad theology. “Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.” (Psalm 27:7)

B. God started it; He told you to turn to Him. “When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.” (Psalm 27:8)

C. Remind God of the good things He has done to help in the past; the process simultaneously refreshes a believer. “Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.” (Psalm 27:9)

D. Every other source of solace and support may fail, but God will not. “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.” (Psalm 27:10)

E. Always remember that problems are educational; the problem is the opportunity. “Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.” (Psalm 27:11)

F. Instead of dwelling on problems, just remind God that troubles hurt. “Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.” (Psalm 27:12)

III. Leave the Worry with God

A. Expectation of a good outcome is the only way through some problems. “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” (Psalm 27:13) Review 2 Corinthians 4:1-12

B. Believers know that as they did not save themselves, it is also not up to them to preserve themselves; the God of grace is the God of glory. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” (Ephesians 2:8)

C. God uses the believer’s confidence in Providence to increase confidence in Him. “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14)

D. Paul summarized the doctrine of confidence in God. “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:5-8 )