Fear - An Opportunity For Growth (Psalm 27)

Compiled by: Herman Abrahams (Senior Pastor), Cornerstone Faith Ministries, P.O. Box 740, Westridge 7802, Rep. of South Africa.

E-Mail: Mentorship2003@yahoo.co.uk

Note to the reader:

If you have been blessed with this sermon compilation, I would be honoured to receive an e-mail from you merely telling me where in the world you are based- I do not need any other information. This is merely so that I can have the pleasure, and give thanks to Almighty God, that all over the globe the ministry which he has entrusted to me, is blessing the body of Christ and helping to extend the Kingdom of God.

Thank you. Herman Abrahams, Cape Town, South Africa.

FEAR – AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH Psalm 27)

INTRO

God has called us to live in a world that gives us many reasons to be fearful. Crime, violence, robbery, and general disregard for life are increasing in our society. God, however, has told us He has not given us a spirit of fear (2 Tim 1:7). Christ has also assured us that “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH

Every opportunity for fear should become a chance for growth, not retreat. Every fear should become a bridge, not a stumbling stone. You can receive help from Psalm 27. Read through this Psalm, notice what David feared and also what his focus was.

DAVID BATTLE

While the specific occasion for psalm 27 is not given, David obviously was facing a great enemy. He may have been on the verge of battle.

n David’s enemies wanted to eat his flesh (vs 2).

n They encamped and made war against him (vs 3).

n He wanted to be hidden in the Lord’s pavilion, a reference to the general’s tent in the middle of the battle camp that was well guarded (vs 5).

DAVID’S CONFIDENCE

David was confident that he would be lifted above his enemies (vs 6). The possibility was great that he would lose his life in battle, but that was not his focus. God was the centre of David’s attention, and he was confident of God’s provision and protection (vss 1-6); therefore he could pray to him for help (vss 7-14).

Psalm 4 tells us about confidence in God and then follows with a prayer for deliverance based on this confidence.

David’s confidence halted his fears (Ps. 27:1); therefore he asked, “Whom shall I fear?” and “Of whom shall I be afraid?”

· God was David’s light (light is always a source of comfort to any fearful person).

· God was David’s salvation (that is, his Liberator from his fears).

· God was David’s strength (that is, God would give him the power to conquer his fears).

Sincere faith in God will dispel our fears.

GOD WAS ON DAVID’S SIDE.

Next, David knew that with God on his side, no one (or thing) could overcome him (Ps. 27:2). Even in the midst of battle, his confidence did not waiver (vs 3).

David attacked his fears by desiring to be close to God. The presence of God has always been a source of reassurance to God’s people:

¨ When Moses was fearful and about to go before Pharaoh, he was promised the presence of God (Exod. 3:12).

¨ The great commission was given to a group of frightened disciples. It ends with the promise of Christ’s presence throughout the coming age (Matt. 28:20).

¨ See also Joshua 1:5.

As David contemplated all this, he broke out in praise and singing to God. Singing is a sign of close fellowship with God. (see Eph. 5:18-19).

FEAR LIVES RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO FAITH.

The second part of Psalm 27 contains a series of petitions that David prayed concerning his fears. We should see fear as an opportunity to drive us closer to God. When fear returns, we should pray the way David did.

First, David needed God’s mercy (Ps. 27:7-8). He pleaded for God’s face to be seen. As sinners we always come into His presence on the basis of His mercy.

Second, David prayed for acceptance by God (Ps. 27:9-10). He feared that God might reject him as He had rejected Saul in the past. David even felt the rejection of his parents, the last people that children expect to let them down. He pleaded for God not to reject him.

Third, David prayed for guidance (Ps. 27:11). He desired to follow God’s path. During times of anxiety, it is nice to have someone else give you directions.

Finally, David prayed for God’s deliverance from his enemies (Ps.27:12).

WAIT ON THE LORD

Psalm 27 closes with David’s advice about waiting on the Lord. This is probably the hardest thing to do when we are fearful, yet God is never in a hurry, and neither should we be. We read in Ps. 112:7, “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord”