Worship has always been my most intimate connection with the Lord, musical worship specifically. I love to sing. It gives me the opportunity to be raw with the Lord, and maybe express things I couldn’t find the words for. It is always a simultaneous release and refuel. Being the worship facilitator on my team has been a treasure and a challenge. I have the opportunity to share my passion with my team, and also push myself to experience worship in ways other than singing; ways that will allow my teammates to share in the intimacy and guide us deeper into it.
This past week, we rewrote the Psalms. We all prayed silently first, asking the Lord to reveal a number first. Then we individually turned to whatever Psalm our number was, read it, and then rewrote it in our own words or using our own experiences. As someone who sometimes struggles to apply scripture to myself this was an easy way to look at words from and to the Lord, and look back to see where He had been faithful, what truths He promised me, things I struggled with or requests I needed to make to Him. So I’ll share with you now my version of Psalm 27, and encourage you to look at scripture in more personal ways for yourself.
Psalm 27 (NIV)
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?
2 When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. 3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.
4 One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.
7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. 8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. 10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.11 Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. 12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.
13I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27 – ME!
The Lord guides me and gives me joy each day. He saved me from an eternal punishment I could not escape on my own. Could fear of anything else really compare?
He is my protector; always on my side and He always has my back. The God of the universe. Who could possibly intimidate me?
When people disagree and want to tear down my ministry with lies, their attempts will be dismissed by all. Spiritual warfare will come, and may present itself through physical confrontations, but if my motivation and foundation is His truth, I have no reason not to stand confidently in my decisions.
My warranted hope is that I am protected because I rest in His presence. That He would allow me to rest at His feet daily when I’m reading His word, speaking with Him and filling myself with His truth. That He would reveal new pieces of His glory and how big He is each day. Because I know when trouble comes, that’s where I want to be; at His side. No one dare attack Him.
When the battle is over He will set me in a high place to see what He has done for me; all the ways He fought for me over my life. I won’t be able to control my joy and love for Him; dancing and singing through my last breath.
Lord please answer my cries to you, and answer to keep me from wandering. My heart tells me that if I seek your face I’ll find it each time. Let that be true. Let me know you. Don’t turn away from me again God. Through your Son I committed my life to You. There have been days where even those I loved mot walked away. You welcomed me then, tears flowing, to open arms. Lord, continue to guide me and align my character with your so that I may walk right into You and bring others with me. Tug at my heart and make my mind aware of when I wander, so that I don’t become deceived, overwhelmed, or taint my own witness.
Because I know You, I know Your goodness in these things are promised to me. I will wait in your presence, as long as I need to, for more understanding of you.
