When God Becomes Personal

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? Psalm 27:1

How well are you keeping fear at bay? It can be problematic for some when considering the state of our world: inflation, economic downturn, global pandemics, life-threatening hurricanes, and war. Complied with other matters, finances, marriage, children, health, etc.; with all that is going on, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by fear. However, our text reveals we don't have to be afraid no matter who or what we face.

Most of us are familiar with Israel’s history and how Israel knew God to be the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. This was still true in David's day. However, in this psalm, David's declarations about God are personal. They were time-tested truths he learned about God from his personal experience. It is the reason he could confidently say: "The Lord is my light, my salvation, whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" It is one thing when we can say our parents know God, but it is a whole other thing when we can personally say we know God for ourselves. When we have that one-on-one relationship with Him, then we know we can trust in the faithfulness of his character and the integrity of His word. Our relationship with God is how we build our confidence and trust in the one who holds all power in his hands. It is through the relationship that we know God is not a man that he should lie, nor the son of man that he shall repent, but what he said, shall he not do it, and what he spoke shall he not make it good. When we're in relationship, these words become more than scripture; they become what we know about God for ourselves.

David kept fear at bay because his relationship with God taught him he could trust God's unfailing protection no matter what or who he faced. Whatever you’re facing today, the same God can protect you in the midst of it. Choose to trust him today!