Tomorrow is Memorial Day, a day set aside to remember those who have died in service of our nation. Many of you know of someone who died during their service in the military. For some, this was your very children. Today, we express a small token of the rightful appreciation due to these men and women.
Let’s pray:
Father in Heaven,
We come before your throne on this day to remember the courage of people who stood against evil in foreign and domestic places. The uniform of our military is a reminder of the justice found in you, holy God. I pray your healing presence is with father and mothers, uncles and aunts, and sisters and brothers who have lost their family members in service to such great ideas of religious freedom. You never intended anyone to be forced into conversion for faith to you and you certainly desire everyone to have the right to know you in all nations. Father, may you bless us with the courage to stand against religious tyranny anywhere and everywhere. Will you give us brave men and women to boldly push back against evil dictators who seek to prevent people from have access to you and your word.
In Jesus Name, Amen.
It’s only fitting for Memorial Day to hear the word from an ancient warrior, King David of Israel.
Today’s Scripture
Of David. 1 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 evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. 3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. 4 One thing have I asked 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 gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. 5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be 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. 7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! 8 You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” 9 Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! 10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in. 11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. 12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. 13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! 14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:1–14)!
1. My Power to Endure Life’s Battles
Several images have inspired our nation during times of war.
1.1 The Revolutionary War
For Francis Scott Key it was the image of the Star Spangled Banner that motivated him through the fiercest of battles. He had gone out to the British fleet, if you remember, under a flag of truce. He was detained on board while the bombardment of Fort Henry took place. It was a long and terrible night for the young patriot. The struggling colonies of America were against the vast resources of the great British Empire. He watched as all night the heavy guns of England pounded the fort. But in the morning he saw “by the dawns early light the star spangled banner yet waving,” and it was this inspired that inspired him to write the song that is now, our national anthem. The climax of the song is found in the last stanza, a part we do not often sing today: “Then conquer we must, When our cause is just. And this be our motto: In God is our trust.”
1.2 The Second World War
When we think of inspiration during wartime, we think of our fight against the imperialistic aspirations of the Japanese. Of course, it was a measure of “payback” and justice that inspired many Americans to declare war on Japan during WW II. The image of Pearl Harbor’s bombing and its 2,400 deaths on December 7, 1941, lived in the minds of many Americans during this time. Our President at the time, Franklin D. Roosevelt stated this the very next day: “No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.” Back closer to home, there was Rosie the Riveter, the iconic image of a working women inspired women to leave the house and work in defense industries around the nation.
1.3 David’s Inspiration
But David, the warrior, tells us he was inspired by a different image altogether. What warmed his heart in the midst of blood-torn battles wasn’t the idea of retributive justice or patriotic music, but to gaze on the beauty of the Lord. Many of us would imagine a soldier on the foreign field longing to see the children they left behind, or even their wife, but David is motivated by a sustained focus on the very face of God: “One thing have I asked 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 gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple” (Psalm 27:4).
In the midst of enemies all around Him…
… despite adversaries and foes assailing him…
… David finds his power and inspiration in his hopes to see the very face of God.
Powering him through his toughest days was an eternal vision of gazing into the eternal face of God. This is the one attractive vision for all believers down through the ages. It’s the time where we will see God face-to-face. This was the request of Moses to see the face of God. This was the demand of Job when faced layer after layer of personal problems. And this was the reality for Isaiah when he saw even the angels nearest the throne of God covers their face in His presence. To behold the beauty of the Lord.
1.4 How Can I Endure?
Now, I doubt you or I will face assassination attempts any time soon. We must remember Jesus’ words to Peter only hours before His death: “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matthew 26:52). No, most of us will not face the assault from a machine nest. But, here is a man who hid from such mortal dangers for much of life. The fact that David’s battle was far worse than my battle and your battle makes the psalm more practical. Listen to his secret: the power to endure is found in hoping to see very face of God as your life’s ambition. He says, “I’ve discovered a way to endure.” Seeing the face of God is ultimate place of safety. Beholding the beauty of God is your place of sanctuary. Here’s his strategy for life. “God’s home is the home I’ve been looking for in every home I’ve ever built. God’s beauty is the beauty I’ve been looking for in every bit of music, in every bit of art, and every bit of romance I’ve ever had. God’s face is the face I’ve been looking for in every encounter and relationship I’ve ever had. This is what life is about. I’ve found it. If I have this, I really have the only home possible. If I have this, I have the only safety possible.”
1.5 Why God’s Face?
Why does all of God’s people want to see God’s face so badly? People wish to see the face of God because of His unchanging, unfading beauty. Look, people are beautiful for a while. We’re beautiful as babies, we’re beautiful as young adults, but then it’s soon gone. Flowers are beautiful for awhile but they soon wilt. Everything is beautiful for a while and then it’s gone. Even the mountains are being worn down to pebbles. Why is that? It’s the curse! The curse of sin spoils beauty but God’s face is effervesce, unspoiled splendor – nothing will change this.
God’s face was the power for David during David’s hottest battles. And God’s face should be your power for difficult days as well.
1. My Power to Endure Life’s Battles
2. My Plea for Life’s Valleys
Throughout the psalm, David oscillates between absolute confidence on God and desperate pleading for God.
“Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! 8 You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” 9 Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! 10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in. 11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. 12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence” (Psalm 27:7-12)
2.1 Count the Pleas
Follow David’s prayers with me: “…be gracious to me and answer me…” (Psalm 27:7b)!
“Your face, Lord, do I seek” (Psalm 27:8).
“Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away…” (Psalm 27:9a).
“Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God…” (Psalm 27:9b)
“Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path…” (Psalm 27:10a).
“Give me not up to the will of my adversaries…” (Psalm 27:11)
David’s confidence is found in his continual pleas and prayers to God. David knows He needs God.
2.2 The Difference Between Two Soldiers
David Goggins is a survivor of abuse and bigotry who overcame asthma, a learning disability, a stutter, obesity, crushingly low self-esteem and countless fears. Despite all these obstacles he has become a Navy Seal, an Army Ranger and what some call, “The Fittest (Real) Man in America.” His book: Can’t Hurt Me is one of the nation’s best sellers right now. According to the Navy Ties, Goggins did 4 pull-ups a minute for 24 hours setting a world record at the time. But Goggins’ strength and advice is altogether different from David’s advice and strength. The fittest man in America writes 366 pages on his success without ever properly crediting God. At one point, Goggins says, “I didn’t owe my accomplishment to God-given talent or great genetics.”
But another NY Times best selling book written by a solider shows a completely different way of life. Chris Kyle, who was featured in Clint Eastwood’s movie, American Sniper, describes his life’s priorities as, “If I had to order my priories, the would be God, Country, Family.” Kyle continues in describing himself as, “…strongly believe in God, Jesus, and the Bible. When I die, God is going to hold me accountable for everything I’ve done on earth. He may hold me back until [the] last and run everybody else through the line, because it will take so long to go over all my sins… I believe the fact that I've accepted Jesus as my savior will be my salvation… [sic]”
David could not imagine a living life confidently with God. He knows he needs God. Whether you are a solider or not, how can you confidently live life without a continual dependence on God?
2.3 Gaze at God, Glance at Your Problem
David and Moses knew that without God everything else fades. They teach us an important life lesson when facing life’s battles: Never start with your problem but start with heaven. This is the problem with so many people today. We all know the problems facing us but very few will look toward God for the solution. Too many people glance at God and gaze at their problem. But if you to ride with the confidence of the warrior, King David, then glance at your problem and gaze at God. And how do you gaze at God during life’s battles? You continually make your pleas to Him during the most difficult times in your life.
“Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away…” (Psalm 27:9a).
“Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God…” (Psalm 27:9b)
Every problem and every temptation is a opportunity to cry out to God.
“Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path…” (Psalm 27:10a).
“Give me not up to the will of my adversaries…” (Psalm 27:11)
David wasn’t just seeking information about God… He sought to live continually in the very presence of God: “Your face, Lord, do I seek” (Psalm 27:8). We need to gaze at God’s face to power us through life’s battles.
1. My Power to Endure Life’s Battles
2. My Plea During Life’s Valleys
3. My Confidence When Life is In Shambles
3.1 God is My Light
David says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear…” (Psalm 27:1a). The Apostle John said, “…God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5b). The Bible inform us that God “…dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see…” (1 Timothy 6:16b). We are told that God covers Himself “…with light as with a garment…” (Psalm 104:2b). Best of all, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). God turns our dark days into light (Psalm 18:29). Take confidence for God is your light.
3.2 God is My Salvation
David says, “The Lord is … my salvation; whom shall I fear…” (Psalm 27:1a).
David says, “God and Me Against an Army.” Not to be too grotesque but Americans have statistics for enemy kills versus American deaths for the conflicts we have been engaged in historically. In Iraq, Americans and our allies causes 10 to 20 times more combat casualties than the American forces suffered. In Vietnam, Americans killed 18 times their enemies than the 47,000 US deaths we experienced. That number shot up to 50 to 1 enemy kills in the Korean War. Yet, I know of no sane person who thought they withstand an entire army coming against one man. David’s confidence in God is really remarkable in verse 3 where he says, “Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident” (Psalm 27:3). David’s confidence in God is riding high: “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! 14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:13–14)! He says in effect, “I am not afraid, nor is there any need to be afraid. Even though my enemies all gather and conspire together and come upon me all at the same time, it does not matter. Even if war rises against me, I am not going to be afraid. Nothing can ever defeat me, whatever it may be.” Years later, Paul would say the same thing: on screen: “… If God is for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31)? I’ll take on the Red Army, the Nazi’s and the demons of hell all in one., if God is in my corner.
David is exuding confidence and teeming with confidence: “As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:36–39).
Both David and Paul say, “When life is at its worst, I’m not afraid. I will not fear. I am confident God is near me.”
3.3 God is My Stronghold
David says, “The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid” (Psalm 27:1b)? “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10). The reason David sought to live in the presence of God is because the continual realness of God is so elusive. Ever since Adam and Eve were pushed away from seeing God’s very face, we have sought this elusive beauty. And it wasn’t until Jesus voluntarily died on the cross taking our banishment so we can be allowed into God’s presence. Jesus Christ, who eternally enjoyed God’s beauty, volunteered to experience banishment of sin’s worst penalties so I could enter into God’s very presence. He endured life’s greatest battle on the cross for me.
Closing Prayer
Father, You are the one item I need in my life right now and you are the one being I need in my always. I need you more than breath, more than my family, and my next meal. Create in me a clean heart so I can crave your face even more in the coming days. Wean me away from life’s substitutes so that I truly desire your lasting beauty. Transform my times of communion when I take the bread and the juice to powerful times where I anticipate seeing you in all of your splendor.
When life is hard and I feel the attack of the enemy, make yourself known to me. Give me the confidence of David in Psalm 27. I wait for you and help my patience to wait for you. I trust in you in the middle of life’s battles.
More than anything else, thank you for your Son, Jesus. Thank you for His sacrifice of allowing back into your presence when I am unworthy. Thank you for your Son experiencing life’s worst penalties that were mine so I would finally be rewarded with you again, Father.
In Jesus Name, Amen.
