Key Text: Psalm 27:7-10
Psalms 25-29 sets the foundation for the worshiper’s confidence in God.
At this point in the psalm v.7 onwards, things seem to change a little. David was initially walking on the mountain tops of faith but now it seems that he is slipping into the valleys of fear. We must never forget that fear often lives right next door to faith. It is almost at times as if we are on a roller coaster from faith to fear and from fear to faith.
There is probably nothing more fearful to us, than when we feel those moments of rejection. One of the strongest psychological and spiritual needs that all of us have, is that of acceptance by God and it is often amazing what we will sometimes go through to try to come by it.
We have a very real enemy in the devil, who literally looks for every opportunity he can to exploit our feelings of rejection and he will sure it up with lies…things like:
God has rejected you. The church has rejected you. Your family has rejected you. You’re a mess and you have no business being around people who have their act together.
We can see something that is flowing out of this prayer. David is seeking acceptance. He is seeking to be heard by God. He is seeking guidance. He is seeking protection.
All of these factors are crucial in our spiritual life and the only way it can be filled is when take God and allow Him to become our light and our salvation that David talks about in 1
In these few verses 8-10, David leans on a threefold promise based on what he has learned about the character and nature of God. You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” 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! For my father and my mother have forsaken me but the Lord will take me in.
The promise of:-
(a) God’s Favour – 8 You have said “Seek my face”
(b) God’s Fellowship – 9 ‘O you who have been my help…’
Hebrews 13:5 – 6 Keep your life free from love of money (Covetousness), and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”.
(c) God’s Faithfulness – 10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me but the Lord will take me in.
Hosea prophesied to the Northern kingdom of Israel before it fell to the Assyrians. Israel at this time had become faithless people, there was moral decay, a turning away from God to idols. the generation that God calls adulterers and instructs Hosea his prophet to marry a known prostitute. Her unfaithfulness, would be a reflection of Israel’s unfaithfulness showing them what they are like.
In all of this God reminds His people that whilst they are unfaithful, He never will be and remains the faithful God.
Hosea 14:3 Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride on horses and we will say no more, ‘Our God,’ to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy.”
In the natural the father and mother are the picture of absolute faithfulness to their children, those who would protect, encourage, love unconditionally, even lay down their lives. But even they fail at times
Many have had the sad experience of being abandoned by father or mother. Broken homes, differences of belief, addiction to drugs or alcohol even psychological isolation can leave children crippled by the loss.
Even as adults, the pain may linger. God can take that place in our lives, fill that void and heal the hurt.
He can direct us to people who may take the role of father or mother for us. His love is sufficient for all our needs.
Conclusion
God invites us to ‘seek His face’ let’s align our hearts to respond to His invitation. ‘My heart says to you ‘your face Lord do I seek.’
He invites us to know the presence of Holy Spirit at work in our lives to favour us.
He invites us to remember His faithfulness when nothing and no one else is.
You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” 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! For my father and my mother have forsaken me but the Lord will take me in