Fear Conquered
Text: “The LORD is my light and salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).
Our text is from one of the sweetest of the Psalms, covering much of the range of human experience. It is filled with cruel enemies and a compassionate God, with sighs and singing, with grave dangers and a great deliverance, with deep shadows and brilliant sunlight. Nothing is known of its origin, except that David wrote it. It doubtless commemorates some of his experiences when surrounded by enemies, possibly when fleeing from King Saul or from his own rebellious son Absalom. But whatever deep experience gave it birth, we can thank God for the help it is to us in this day.
It has a clear message for the sinner, who is hopelessly lost in the darkness caused by sin, and who is on his way to outer and eternal darkness. If he thinks at all, he fears the future and what awaits him after death, being also in darkness as to the way of salvation. To such the Lord Jesus is Light, if they will but come to Him.
Not only is the sinner in darkness, needing light; but he is also guilty, needing a Saviour. The One who is Light is likewise a Saviour. The very word “Jesus” means “Jehovah Saviour.” If you would know your sins forgiven and be free from guilt, accept by faith the Lord Jesus Christ who died for your sins. Then can you say with David: “The LORD is my Light and my Salvation.” Then you will no longer need to fear the future.
A true convert soon becomes conscious of his own weakness in meeting the world, the flesh and the devil. As a sinner, he was without strength; but now he finds that Christ is a mighty Saviour from sin’s power as well as from its penalty. Thus the LORD becomes his strength and he need be afraid of none.