Set High on a Rock

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Psalm 27

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—
so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
so why should I tremble?
2 When evil people come to devour me,
when my enemies and foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
3 Though a mighty army surrounds me,
my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
I will remain confident.

4 The one thing I ask of the Lord—
the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
delighting in the Lord’s perfections
and meditating in his Temple.
5 For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
he will hide me in his sanctuary.
He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
6 Then I will hold my head high
above my enemies who surround me.
At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,
singing and praising the Lord with music.

7 Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
Be merciful and answer me!
8 My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
9 Do not turn your back on me.
Do not reject your servant in anger.
You have always been my helper.
Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me, O God of my salvation!
10 Even if my father and mother abandon me,
the Lord will hold me close.

11 Teach me how to live, O Lord.
Lead me along the right path,
for my enemies are waiting for me.
12 Do not let me fall into their hands.
For they accuse me of things I’ve never done;
with every breath they threaten me with violence.
13 Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
while I am here in the land of the living.

14 Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Think

Today’s image of a rock describes the life we live when we align with God. The psalmist finds himself in a life-threatening situation. Terrible things are happening around him, and yet his request is simply to dwell with God and to enjoy the beauty of the Lord. Imagine!

Then, after expressing that desire, the psalm resounds with the conviction that God will provide the best protection: shelter, safety, and a vantage point for viewing the surrounding area.

To conceal and to set high on a rock seem like opposites. Wouldn’t being high on a rock expose a person to danger? Not necessarily. In this situation, God gives the gift of perspective. From the position of being high on a rock, the psalmist can see approaching danger and won’t be caught off guard. It’s a strategic advantage to be in that place of security. God also provides shelter to make the psalmist less vulnerable to attack.

While our circumstances may not change, it is possible for God to put our feet on solid ground so that even while we can see danger around us, our perspective is grounded and firm. In that place, we can “be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Pray

Lord our God, you do all things well. Set us high on a rock and enable us to be strong and take heart and wait for you. In your name we pray. Amen.