Psalm 27: 4-6
Waiting between Easter and Ascension, between Ascension and Pentecost must have been fascinating for the fly on the wall. In modern language, one fly might have said “Wait for it…” as the story unfolds. These early followers had been following Jesus around the countryside, listening to his teaching, watching him heal, and basking in his presence. Suddenly he is crucified and resurrects and they are told to wait for him in Jerusalem. I cannot imagine the emotional, spiritual and social reorientation those early believers were going through.
Yesterday we looked at Psalm 27 written by David who himself knew a lot about waiting fo God to fulfill promises. He was anointed as the next king when a youth caring for his flocks but the whole reign of Saul occurred before that promise was fulfilled. Psalm 27 speaks to that waiting process.
First David focuses on images that he associates with his knowledge of God. God is a light that brings revelation to the waiting time. God is his salvation, the only one who can fulfill that which he seeks. God is his stronghold, the focus he occupies his mind with, kind of like picking your thought for Lamaz. But “wait for it…” what is David waiting for? The next verses that we look at today share that David seeks to “dwell in the house of the Lord.” David looks beyond the enemies seeking to defeat him, the sins that plagued his life, and all the politics of his day. He looks to the peace and security of dwelling in the house of the Lord and being able to feel that safety.
So I must ask what we focus on when we are struggling. Are we just asking God to relieve the pain of our situation – heal our loved one, defeat an enemy, resolve the chaos or is there a greater picture we can focus on? Lamaz convinced me that the mind can only focus on one thing so focusing on a fond memory, a Bible verse, or even a spot on the wall, will lessen the pain that is only “labor.” I do know that when I “chew that bone”, as my husband says, of some dilemma I’m facing that the problem grows larger and larger. Where is your “sweet spot” that helps you cope? For David it was thinking about being in God’s dwelling place. Where is it for you? Spend some moments now resting there with God who dwells with you. Blessings.
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.
On the Way to Wonder 