by Helen Jesze 30th October 2026

“The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked, even my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled
and fell. Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war
arise against me, [even then] in this will I be confident.
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently]
require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days
of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the
delightful loveliness] of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His
temple.

For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; in the secret place of His
tent will He hide me; He will set me high upon a rock. And now shall my head be
lifted up above my enemies round about me; in His tent I will offer sacrifices
and shouting of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord… Although my
father and my mother have forsaken me, yet the Lord will take me up [adopt me
as His child].

Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain and even path because of my
enemies [those who lie in wait for me]. Give me not up to the will of my
adversaries, for false witnesses have risen up against me; they breathe out
cruelty and violence.

[What, what would have become of me] had I not believed that I would see the
Lord’s goodness in the land of the living! Wait and hope and expect the Lord; be
brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait
for and hope for and expect the Lord.” Psalm 27: 1-6, 10-14 Amplified Bible
This is one of my favourite Psalms, which I have been reading a lot recently. The
Amplified version brings out some different aspects, that is why I have chosen to
write out so much of it. It is attributed to be written by David, probably when he was
already king over Israel and Judah.

Surely no-one could better write about enemies and adversaries and wars rising
against him, than David. Anointed by the prophet Samuel to be king, when he was
still a teenage shepherd boy, he rose to popularity and admiration after he bravely
went out against the giant, Goliath, and killed him, David became the object of king
Saul’s jealousy. Saul hunted David and his men for many years, so he knew what he
was saying, from personal experience.

Yet David writes so boldly and bravely about his God being his Refuge – a
stronghold, a place where he can hide from his foes. Although he had men who
fought on his side, yet he did not trust in their ability alone, but in his God.
David had the Tabernacle which had been stolen by the Philistines brought back to
Jerusalem when he was king. Here he writes that there is one thing he has desired, it
is to be in the Presence of his God and to gaze upon the loveliness of his God. To
gaze, does not just mean to look casually, but rather to look longer, with intention, as
one would look into face of a loved one. He saw the importance of considering and
meditating on the things of God.

Called the ‘Sweet singer of Israel’, the anointing of the Holy Spirit was on him as he
played his harp and sang, so much so that he was taken to the palace to play for king
Saul, who had fits of madness, and David was the only one who could help him. Here
in this Psalm, David writes he will shout with joy as he brings sacrifice to his God,
and sing high praises, for He is the only One who deserves this!

He wrote that even if his parents forsook him, his God would take him up and adopt
him as His child. There are people whose family have forsaken them, sometimes even
for their faith in Jesus, but God will not forsake them. David writes his head has now
been lifted up above his enemies and God has set him upon a rock. A rock is strong
and dependable; a rock to stand on or to hide in. Our Rock is our Saviour, Jesus
Christ, and He will hold our wavering feet and make them strong, when adversaries
have risen up against us.

David asks that God will teach him His ways. Are we relying on our own wisdom and
experience, or are we seeking our Heavenly Father’s ways and His heart, from His
Word and the fellowship we have with Him? David reflects where would he be if he
had not trusted in his God, believing that all would turn out for the best “in the land
of the living”! And the same goes for us today, that in this life our God will be our
support!

David finishes this Psalm with this wonderful encouragement and admonishment:
“Wait and hope and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your
heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.”
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you that you kept David from all his
enemies, and he eventually became a mighty warrior and king. You also
made a covenant with him that the Messiah, Your Son Jesus, would later
come from his line. Help us in our everyday lives to expect that you will
deliver us from every physical, mental and spiritual enemy.

Help us to trust You, look to You alone, to spend time in your Presence,
to sing and praise You even if the day may be hard and not going the
way we expected. When Fear threatens to overwhelm us, help us to
remember and declare that You have not given us a spirit of Fear, but of
love, power and of a sound mind. You, Who gave your only Son, Jesus
for us, and made the wonderful plan of Salvation, how will You not help
us in all the affairs of Life?! There is no doubt about it!

We praise and thank You today, Father, and ask these things in the
Name of Jesus, Amen.