Psalm 27:1, 4-9 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 27:1, 4-9 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1The 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?
Verse 4One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: to live 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.
Verse 5For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock.
Verse 6Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
Verse 7Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me!
Verse 8"Come," my heart says, "seek his face!" Your face, Lord, do I seek.
Verse 9Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help. Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation!
Devotion
The last time I had seen Stephen he was in the guise of Batman. It was at a Halloween party for Special Church — a community of God's children with special needs. He was beaming among his friends as they prayed, decorated cupcakes, and then ate them. The next time I saw Stephen he was the presence of Christ. It was the very next day, and I was walking across the parking lot of the local grocery store, making my way through a dark cloudy day of challenge and conflict. He paused for a moment from collecting shopping carts to join me on my walk. He was radiant as he changed my day from darkness to light, sharing with me words of kindness and grace.
The Lord is our saving light. Amid the struggles and challenges we face, may our trust be in God through Christ, who shines on us with love and brings us from darkness to light and from death to life.
Prayer
God of our salvation, thank you for your saving love. Help me to embody your love and grace for the good of someone I meet today. Amen.