Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: James 5:13-18 and Psalm 27

Psalm 27 is a beautiful expression of the wrestling match between faith and fear that often happens in the human heart in times of difficulty. In it, David mentions the very real physical dangers he faced from wicked enemies, besieging armies, wars, oppression, and malicious false witnesses. Remarkably, the Psalm sounds great notes of calm, confident faith in God for protection, guidance and provision. But then it also echoes with apparently fearful, doubting, desperate cries for God to have mercy, to help and not to forget him or turn away from him.

Some have suggested that the differences between the first and second half of the Psalm are so stark that it must have been two Psalms originally. But surely David is just being honest about our common human experience. He is honest enough not to hide the truth that we can be filled with seemingly unshakeable faith one moment, and assailed by fear and doubt the next.

Most importantly though, David constantly turned himself to God in prayer. David prayed! Whether he was praying for the sake of expressing great confident faith in God and praise for God’s deliverance, or crying out to God not to forget him, turn away from him, or abandon him to his enemies – David prayed!

Likewise, James exhorts us that whether in good times when we are “happy” or in times of trouble or illness, his prescription remains the same. In the words of that great hymn: “Take it to the Lord in prayer”. When we do so, our relationship with the Lord becomes the safe place in the midst of the storm. God Himself becomes our shelter and we can say with confidence, “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.“

Lord, I do believe. Help my unbelief. I trust in You. Today, help me to be strong and take heart and wait for You. Amen.