Psalm 27:1, 4-9 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 27:1, 4-9 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1The 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?
Verse 4One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.
Verse 5For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock.
Verse 6Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
Verse 7Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me!
Verse 8"Come," my heart says, "seek his face!" Your face, Lord, do I seek.
Verse 9Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help. Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation!
Devotion
I live in Minnesota, where there are few things more important in January than having a good dwelling place … preferably one that is warm, cozy and smells like hot chocolate. It’s a place to come home to after a hard day’s work; a place to gather with family; a place to keep stuff; a place to get a good night’s sleep. Sadly, each night more than 13,000 people in Minnesota don’t have a good dwelling place to return to, even in the dead of winter. Perhaps the lament verses of this psalm belong to them: Hear my cry, O Lord, and answer me! Perhaps the lament verses of this psalm belong to all whose dwelling places are shaken by abuse and violence. Do not hide your face from me. Perhaps the lament verses of this psalm belong to all whose dwelling places are at risk due to economic uncertainty Do not forsake me, O God. For them – for all of us – how meaningful the wish to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Prayer
Lord, watch over all people who do not have safe dwelling place, and give them comfort, sustenance and peace. Amen.