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Light, space, zest - that's God! So, with him on my side I'm fearless, afraid of no one and nothing. When vandal hordes ride down ready to eat me alive, Those bullies and toughs fall flat on their faces. When besieged, I'm calm as a baby. When all hell breaks loose, I'm collected and cool. I'm asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live with him in his house my whole life long. I'll contemplate his beauty; I'll study at his feet. That's the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world, The perfect getaway, far from the buzz of traffic. God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down. I'm headed for his place to offer anthems that will raise the roof! Already I'm singing God-songs; I'm making music to God. Listen, God, I'm calling at the top of my lungs: "Be good to me! Answer me!" When my heart whispered, "Seek God," my whole being replied, "I'm seeking him!" Don't hide from me now! You've always been right there for me; don't turn your back on me now. Don't throw me out, don't abandon me; you've always kept the door open. My father and mother walked out and left me, but God took me in. Point me down your highway, God; direct me along a well-lighted street; show my enemies whose side you're on. Don't throw me to the dogs, those liars who are out to get me, filling the air with their threats. I'm sure now I'll see God's goodness in the exuberant earth. Stay with God! Take heart. Don't quit. I'll say it again: Stay with God. (Psalm 27 The Message Version)
Yes, the adult joke of "I don't know about you, but I slept like a baby - I cried all night and couldn't wait for someone to hold me!" Not how the psalmist sees it in this psalm. Eugene Peterson, in his translation and paraphrase version of the Bible, called The Message, shares new insights into some old, familiar passages. I find it helpful from time to time to see what other meanings one can find in such a passage. This is no exception. The psalmist is describing the day of one of our lives; calamity all around, things are not going right, the world is collapsing, or so we think, because the difference is, for the believer, that he or she knows that God is with us. I love that verse that reads, "When besieged, I'm calm as a baby. When all hell breaks loose, I'm collected and cool." Is that true for you?
To know God is to know that in the quiet and the noisy; in the calm and in the calamity, God is with us. We can sense His grip on us when it feels like we're about to fall. We hear his gentle voice even in the midst of loud shouting towards us and at us. And we in return, offer up our praise to God, which is a part of the relationship; God cares for us and love us - we praise God and offer our love to God.
And for those still not sure how to live in that way, listen to the end of the psalm: Stay with God! Take heart. Don't quit. I'll say it again: Stay with God. Amen.
PRAYER: Lord, I'm staying with You. Regardless of the day that awaits me, I await You and Your calm and strength in all things. I love You and I know You love me. With You on my side, I know that I will be okay. Thank You, Lord; in Jesus' name I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
