Bracing for Approaching Weather Fronts

In the heart of the Old Testament, Psalm 27 offers a profound message of faith, leadership, and confidence. David, a renowned king and poet, pens this beautiful psalm, expressing his unwavering trust in God even in the face of enemies, armies, and wars.

David's opening declaration, "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1), sets the tone for the entire psalm. God, to David, is his light and salvation, a source of strength he can rely on.

The cry of a leader's heart, according to this psalm, should be, "Your face, O LORD, do I seek." (Psalm 27:8) To lead effectively in troubled times, one should spend time hiding in God's presence and gazing on the face of God. This is not just a metaphorical hide-and-seek with a toddler, but a spiritual pursuit of closeness to God, providing safety and security.

The inner layer of the psalm focuses on being close to God. To be close to God is to be hidden in God's shelter, concealed in His tent, and lifted on a rock. (Psalm 27:5) This inner layer reveals the devotional determination of David to dwell in the house of the LORD and gaze upon the beauty of the LORD. (Psalm 27:4)

David's confidence in God's greatness and his ability to overcome any enemy is evident throughout the psalm. His words echo with a peace that surpasses understanding, a peace that comes from a deep and abiding faith in God.

This message of seeking God's face and finding confidence in His strength is not lost on modern-day leaders. Peter Mead, a mentor at Cor Deo and author of several books focused on biblical preaching and ministry, encourages growing preachers and ministry leaders through teaching and podcasting. His blogs can be found on the Biblical Preaching website, where he writes about preaching, ministry, and spiritual leadership.

In 2 Corinthians 4:6, we are reminded to seek the "light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." Jonathan Edwards wrote that Christ has "infinite loveliness to win and draw our love." Angels in heaven, who can look on Christ's face all the time, have never run out of reason to praise Him.

Psalm 27 reflects an experience where faith and peace are present in the first half, and fear is present in the second half. David declares confidence in his future experience of the goodness of God and calls on others to strengthen their hearts by waiting for the LORD. (Psalm 27:13-14)

This timeless psalm serves as a reminder that in times of trouble, we can find solace in seeking God's face and gazing upon His beauty. It is a call to leadership that is grounded in faith and a confidence that comes from a deep and abiding relationship with God.

This article was published in Evangelical Focus, offering a thoughtful exploration of Psalm 27 and its relevance for modern-day leaders.