Psalm 27: Do Not Fear

Not only is there little knowledge of God in our land today; there is also much fear. And these two facts are deeply interconnected. The presence of fear indicates an absence of the knowledge of, and faith in, God. There was great fear during the time of the prophet Hosea in the eight century BCE. What he declared about the northern kingdom of Israel rings true today: “There is no faithfulness or loyalty, and no knowledge of God in the land. Swearing, lying, and murder, and stealing and adultery break out; bloodshed follows bloodshed. Therefore the land mourns, and all who live in it languish (Hosea 4:1b-4).

Just imagine the calming consequences which would come to us if we could only say, with comforted conviction, the following three verses. They are penetrating words of fear-damping faith; they attest to the courage faith bestows, as we risk leaning fully into trust:

“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? . . . I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” (Psalm 27:1, 13-14).