We know that heaven will be awesome. The full presence of the Lord will be so good. But what about here? What about now?

We may not always see His constant wonders with our eyes here, but we have seen some. And as long as we’re alive here, we will see more.

Believe it. Look for it. See it. The Lord is good.

Memorize Psalm 27:13 with us this week as we anticipate discovering more of the Lord’s goodness.

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!
Psalm 27:13

We’re memorizing Psalm 27:12 this week. It’ll remind you of Psalm 27:2 that we memorized earlier about our adversaries and foes.

Whatever “false witnesses” rise up against you this week in real life or just in your spirit (I’m not good enough; this is too much for me; no one really cares about me; etc.), ask God for His help against them.

Your adversaries can huff and they can puff, but they can’t blow your house down. Be confident of this (Psalm 27:3). You live in the house of the Lord, every day, all day (Psalm 27:4). He always takes you in (Psalm 27:10).

Re-read all the verses we’ve learned so far in Psalm 27, and look ahead to the remaining two verses. See how they all are coming together and be encouraged!

Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.
Psalm 27:12

As you read and memorize in Psalm 27 this week, pay special attention to David’s prayer in verse 11. May you make it your own.

Lord,
Let your guidance flow through me like water down a well-worn path. There are stumbling blocks on either side of me. Steady my feet to stay level on this course, giving no reason for any to gloat over a slip-up.

Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.
Psalm 27:11

Even though I was in my 40s, when my father died in February 2010 and my mother followed in September 2010, I still felt orphaned.

I had been blessed to have had both a wonderful (albeit imperfect) father and mother. Yet even in the most natural of circumstances, diseases beyond their control, I still felt an unnatural sense of being forsaken, left alone in the world.

What did David mean in Psalm 27:10 about his parents forsaking him? We have no record of his parents turning their back on him.

Regardless, we all know this: Even on our best days, other humans will let us down. Intentionally or otherwise. That’s a surety.

But God? He will never turn His back on us when we run to Him. He will always receive us with open arms.

May we turn to Him over and over this week as we meditate on the words of Psalm 27:10.

 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in.
Psalm 27:10

David asks God for four things here:

• Don’t hide
• Don’t turn away
• Don’t throw me out
• Don’t abandon me

Although each thing means something slightly different, the pleading as a whole is this:

I need to be in Your presence, Lord. You’ve helped me before; don’t stop now. Finish what You’ve started in me. I have no hope but You.

As you meditate and/or memorize Psalm 27:9 this week, take delight in knowing that the Lord loves hearing your prayers of dependence on Him because He is capable, willing, and eager to answer you with grace.

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!
Psalm 27:9

David heard the Lord. Then he responded promptly and fully. How did he manage that?

He knew where the Lord was.

Putting together these first eight verses of Psalm 27, we can see David was drawn to the Lord’s light and strength. He allowed the Lord to protect him as he gazed upon the Lord with his full attention.

Can we do the same?

As you read our memory verse this week, do more than learn the words; learn the posture. Look face to face upon the Lord with all your heart.

You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.”
Psalm 27:8

Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!
Psalm 27:7

We often pray silently in our heads. But sometimes, particularly when we’re most aware of our needs, our cries need to come down from our heads and pass boldly through our mouths.

David was not reluctant to cry aloud to the Lord, asking him for mercy and attention. We can do the same.

Try praying aloud to God now through these thoughts from Psalm 27:7 and Hebrews 4:16:

Dear Lord,
Please listen to these words I’m saying out loud. I’m coming to your throne to receive your mercy and your grace. I know You will answer me and help every time I need You.

Silently or out loud, we can always ask for divine favor.

We can rest assured the Lord won’t leave us unprotected. He wants us to have victory not only for our good, but also so we’ll offer Him praise when the battle is won.

As we memorize or meditate on Psalm 27:6 this week, let’s not just read it, but do it:

• Offer sacrifices with shouts of joy!
• Sing!
• Make melody to the Lord!

And now my head shall be 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.
Psalm 27:6

When things get too hectic, where do you go? Do you have a special getaway place to de-stress?

David trusted God to be his go-to place. And so can we.

When we feel exposed to the bitter winds of life, God throws a blanket over us. When we’re turned around with nowhere to run, He takes us in as family into His own dwelling. He raises us up so high that we’re out of reach of our enemies. No wonder David wanted to stay in the Lord’s presence all the days of his life (Psalm 27:4).

Use these assurances from God when you need to unwind this week from a hectic Christmas season.

Whether you’re memorizing with us or just reading along, may you find rest in the God you see in Psalm 27; He’s the same God today.

“For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.”
Psalm 27:5

If there is one thing you ask most of the Lord, what is it? Is it just to be in His presence?

In writing Psalm 27, David’s one request was to remain with the Lord continuously. Do we ask the same? We will if we realize that in His presence there is beauty, light, courage, safety, and confidence.

Are you memorizing or meditating on Psalm 27 with us? This week we’re learning and pondering verse 4.

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 27:4

Regardless of what faces you this week, at your core you need not be frightened. God has this. He has you. Your confidence can stand strong because He is strong.

We’re memorizing Psalm 27:3 this week. Will you join us?

Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.
Psalm 27:3

This Wednesday, will you join our link-up? Write a blog post about scripture memorization and/or Psalm 27, then link it here December 3.

As the saying goes, haters are gonna hate. Our enemies want us to fall.

However, most of us don’t see “evildoers” coming full-force at us. Or “adversaries and foes” wanting to “eat our flesh.”

Instead, maybe they appear this way:

• What spoils a good day for you?
• What tempts you to have a bad attitude?
• What causes you pain?
• What crowds out the good?

Whatever form these vandals take in your life, remember that they are the ones weakened by their efforts. They can’t stay on their feet when you are standing in your safe place with the lights turned on (Psalm 27:1).

This week we’re learning Psalm 27:2. And even though each verse in Psalm 27 is beautiful enough to stand alone, find connections between all the verses as you learn them, seeing how one verse leads into the next. The beauty of memorizing a whole chapter, one verse at a time, is the space and time it gives the Lord to weave all the verses together for you.

When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.
Psalm 27:2

What is one “enemy” you expect to come against you this week?
How are you preparing to stand against it? Please share.

Sometimes I’m still scared of the dark, no matter how old I get. When I hear a strange sound at night or lose my bearings or just need to navigate to the bathroom, I want the lights on.

I’m the same way in life. When storm clouds gather, I want the Lord to shine His light through the chaos and illuminate the path in front of me.

As we begin Psalm 27 today—whether you’re memorizing or just reading along—ask the Lord to brighten up the dark spaces around you that have been lurking in the shadows too long. Let His love lead you through enemy territory in full sunlight.

Because don’t we all feel safer when the sun/Son comes up?

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?
Psalm 27:1

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