Psalm 27 – God’s House

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident. One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell 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.

When I was growing up, we lived in a two-bedroom apartment. Imagine six kids sharing one bedroom, with one bathroom for the entire family. I also distinctly remembered my cousin staying in the living room for extended periods of time.
The strange thing about it is that I have the best memories in that tiny flat.

Perhaps what made the difference was not the place but the people who lived there, particularly, my mom. Her meals were simple yet I can never replicate the taste.

May God bless my mom as she just turned 80 this month!

Although we lived in the tropics, it felt just warm enough so that we were not too uncomfortable. I remembered lying down on the concrete floor in the balcony when tropical storms would pay their daily visits and bath my senses with the smell and sound of fresh rainfall. It felt like time stood still on many occasions; yet it was only a tiny moment in time that I lived in that house. I guess that the Psalmist's expereince in God's house was so life-changing and memorable that it was all that he lived for after that. “That I may dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.

Double-barrelled locks, spy-hole, steel doors, alarm system and motion-activated security lights; these are just some of the standard features of the modern day home. Have you found a home that seemed more secure and safe than any other home you’ve visited?
The Psalmist must have found his refuge and “panic room” in the Lord.
And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD. Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.” Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. 0 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me. Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breathe out violence. I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!


Discover for yourself the "Refuge" that is God!