Daily Prayer for December 12, 2024: Psalm 27:1-4
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?
When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.
Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet I will be confident.
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. (Psalm 27:1-4, ESV)
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we come to you as children adopted into your family through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. We come to you as creatures of dust, disposed to wandering and exposed to suffering of various kinds. We know and confess that we live in a sin-wrecked world, and we are a sin-wrecked people. As such, we are subject to the hardships and calamities of this fallen world. We are subject to sickness, disease, famine, plague, death, and, as the Psalmist details, opposition from evildoers. Yet, we belong to you. We are members of your family, and, as any loving father would do, you protect us and help us during those attacks that come. You are a stronghold for us, hiding us in the shelter of your wings day and night. You are the one who lights our way, leading us to safety as the God of our salvation. Therefore, our God, we have no reason to fear what man might do to us. We know that nothing can separate us from your love. We know that when evil raises its head, you are there, often bringing them into their own pit of destruction. We read in your Word, the history of your covenant people. We read of your deliverance at the Red Sea. We read of your guidance and grace to King David during times of great struggle and opposition. We read of the prophets who spoke only your Word and light to the people yet suffered at their hands, giving their lives in service to you. We know that death is not the worst thing that can happen to us because we are safe, and you will, through our physical demise, bring us into your comfortable presence.
Therefore, what can a mere man do to harm those you have loved from all eternity? You spare us, often, from the effects of this world and remind us each Lord’s Day of your favor and kindness as we gather to worship you. There, we feel most safe from the effects of this fallen world because it reminds us of the permanent Sabbath that awaits all those who love you. Please forgive us, Father, for fretting and worrying about the affairs of our lives. We know that no hair can fall from our heads unless you permit it. We know that you feed the birds of the sky and will tend to our needs as those made in your image. Please help us to trust you and seek you. Please shine your face upon us for good and protect us from that which would seek our ruin. These things we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Meditation: Psalm 27:1-4; Romans 8:38; Exodus 14; Jeremiah 7