The Rev. Anita Stuart-Steva ’04/’13, Pastor, Middle Creek Presbyterian Church, Winnebago, Ill.
Scripture
Psalm 27
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assail me
to devour my flesh —
my adversaries and foes —
they shall stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
yet I will be confident.
4 One thing I asked of the LORD,
that will I seek after:
to live 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.
5 For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will set me high on a rock.
6 Now my head is lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the LORD.
7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud,
be gracious to me and answer me!
8 “Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!”
Your face, LORD, do I seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me.
Do not turn your servant away in anger,
you who have been my help.
Do not cast me off, do not forsake me,
O God of my salvation!
10 If my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will take me up.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
12 Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they are breathing out violence.
13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the LORD!
Devotional
As we live our lives, we go through rough patches: illness, depression, joblessness, family difficulties…. Some of these patches are brief and others encompass an entire season of our lives. Like the psalmist in Psalm 27 we can feel attacked from all sides by these adversaries. The psalmist reminds himself that his light, his protection, his strength, and his courage come from the Lord. Our God lifts us above our circumstances.
Even though we are under attack we are able to face it knowing that God is with us. We can sing songs of joy in the midst of the sorrow; we can shout praises in the midst of the silence; we can hold our heads high in the midst of being bowed down. As we look into the face of our Lord we are able to look away from our troubles and see the goodness of God’s provision for us. Listen to your heart saying “seek God’s face!” and know that you are never alone.
Prayer
O Lord, your face do I seek. Teach me your way and lead me on a level path that I may see your goodness. I wait for you. Amen.