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
Sometimes our “No, I can’t do that!” makes room for God’s “YES!” to break in. Earnestly motivated out of love for his wife, the husband and father entered my office on a mission. Three days earlier, diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer, his request was simple, “I have been given three months to live, please pray to God I die this week; I don’t want my family to go through all the drawn-out suffering.” “No, I am sorry I can’t do that.” What looked like an ending became a new beginning. “I can’t pray for your imminent death, but I can pray for your life to unfold in Christ’s peace.” Eighteen years later, physically altered, but stubbornly advocating for those living with cancer, the requestor chooses life unfalteringly, still living with the Big C. His faith echoes through the psalmist’s words, “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?” God’s ways are not our ways. In this, peace prevails.
Prayer
God of Radiant Healing, when we walk through the shadows of death and see no way forward, shine your light of peace and hope to guide our path toward refuge in you. Enfold us with trust to choose life always in you. Amen.
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