One of my favourite quotes has long been R.L. Whiteside’s statement, “He is a poor preacher who cannot preach better than he can practice.”1 I mention that statement because this psalm is about confident single-mindedness; and I cannot claim to be a wonderful example of that trait. We should all praise it, teach it, and encourage it, even if we do not currently live up to it.
Confident single-mindedness is difficult to develop, difficult to maintain, and of tremendous value in maintaining and promoting the Christian walk. The path to single-mindedness is not direct. Merely telling ourselves to be focused on one thing is not likely to work. Trying to drum up confidence by a personal pep talk will not succeed. That approach is inward focused. Instead, we do better to focus outside ourselves. It is to the Lord we must look, not to ourselves.
In structure, Psalm 27 might be called a confidence sandwich.
- The writer’s confidence in the Lord is expressed in verses 1-3.
- Then various reasons for his confidence are given in verses 4-12.
- Confidence is again expressed in verses 13-14.
Let us look at each layer of the sandwich in a bit more detail.
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 eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. 3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.
Here confidence is expressed. The writer is sure that even an army of evildoers will fail to overcome him. This confidence is not based on his own strength or insight but on the Lord. It is the Lord who is his light (providing vision) and his stronghold (providing security). The confidence is strongly expressed, but on what basis does he have such confidence?
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon 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 lift me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be 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.
His confidence is based in part on the fact that he has sought the Lord. He has made his request of the Lord, and he will continue to seek the fulfilment of that request. The request is not merely deliverance from enemies but permission to dwell in the presence of the Lord (4). He expects protection not so much as a right but as a consequence of being with the Lord. His goal is God himself, not merely something he expects to receive from the Lord. He will receive light and protection. But these are not commodities separate from God, but results of dwelling in the Lord’s presence.
Currently, there seems to be a crisis in the writer’s life.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! 8 You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” 9 Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! 10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in. 11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. 12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.
There are several aspects to the current crisis.
The writer feels forsaken even by his parents (10 ESV), or at least he considers it possible that his parents might forsake him (10 NRSV). But he is confident that the Lord will be even more faithful than earthly parents.
There is the danger of losing his way as he attempts to navigate life while hounded by enemies. But he seeks guidance on a level path (11).
There is the danger of false witnesses whose lies could lead to violent death (12). Again, his response is not to try to deal with this danger on his own. Instead of seeking to boost his self-confidence, he seeks the presence of the Lord and appeals to him.
Even during this crisis, he again expresses confidence in the Lord.
I believe that I shall look upon 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!
His confidence is complete. It erases all fear (1). It erases fear even in the face of enemies (2-3). Even if abandoned by family, God can still be relied upon (10). Such confidence is desirable. But such confidence does not come from self-confidence, nor from seeking many things of the Lord. “One thing” has the psalmist sought. That one thing is the Lord’s presence, for in that presence all the desirable things he might request will be assured.
If we are found waiting on the Lord, seeking to be in his presence to praise and honour him, all the other things we might ask will transpire in due time. This is the one thing we must seek. This is the path to confident single-mindedness.
My goal is God himself
Not joy, nor peace;
Nor even blessing.
But himself, my God,
Tis his to lead me there,
Not mine, but his –
At any cost, dear Lord,
By any road. (from a hymn by Frances Brook)
1 It is found somewhere in his commentary on Romans – which I seem to have left behind when I moved back to Africa.