Bible Passage: Psalm 27:1-4
Pastor: Joel Jenswold
Sermon Date: October 2, 2022

Bulletin October 2, 2022

In the name of, and to the eternal glory of, Jesus,

There is no question that the COVID pandemic has changed everything.  We are still in the early days of assessing all the long-term effects, but one early observation is troubling.  Doctors and mental health professionals are noticing a dramatic increase in anxiety and depression in people.  One report I read described the effect of COVID this way:  “You may deal with constant headaches, fatigue, nervousness, or an overall feeling of dread that makes it difficult to complete daily tasks.” (WebMD)  According to one study, ½ of all people who had COVID admit to symptoms of anxiety and depression in the months after COVID.  This is huge!  That means as I look out at this group this morning, one-half of you, children included, may be struggling with symptoms of anxiety and depression.

There is no “quick-fix” for anxiety and depression.  But certainly a big piece for anyone feeling anxiety or fear or depression is the spiritual component.  And that is what we can talk about today.  We can talk about a “safe place” for you.  It is the safe place David found when he felt anxiety or fear.  David’s safe place is also Your Safe Place.

 It would be in place at this point to call attention to the heading of this psalm.  It is “Of David.”  Right here we can appreciate how credentialed David is to talk about anxiety and stress.  David once walked out onto a battlefield to fight an opponent who was nine feet tall!  You think King Charles III is feeling any stress or anxiety right now?  David knew the stress of being the next in line for the throne.  He knew the stress of running for his life from King Saul.  He knew the stress of dysfunctional family life as his own son tried to kill him so he could be king.  David knew the depression sin can bring; he writes about the depression he felt after his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband.  Suffice it to say, David is qualified to talk to us on this issue!

And what does he have to say?  The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?  (v. 1)  There was a bright spot in David’s life.  “The LORD is my light.”  He doesn’t just dogmatically and analytically say, “The LORD is light.” That is a nice, tidy theological proposition.  But for David, it’s personal!  “The LORD is MY light.”  “He is light…for ME!”

Understand in David’s day, darkness was a metaphor for misery and adversity and wickedness and ambush.  In Psalm 11, David says the wicked shoot arrows at the righteous in the darkness (v. 2).  Darkness can be a scary place.  But David has a safe, light place.  The LORD is my light.

They say one of the biggest advantages soldiers in the US have on the battlefield is “night-vision” capability.  Our soldiers have goggles that allow them to see in the dark.  They rule the darkness!  Darkness isn’t really darkness.  They can see the enemy at all times.  They cannot be ambushed or surprised.  David was a military man.  The Lord was his “night vision.”

My salvation,  David calls the LORD.  Salvation means rescue or deliverance.  David knew very well who his Hero and Champion was.  David knew the real Hero and Champion on the day mighty Goliath fell down.  The LORD is my salvation.

That is why David talks as he does in the next verses.  When evildoers advance against me to eat my flesh, when my foes and my enemies come against me, it is they who will stumble and fall.  If an army lines up against me, my heart will not fear.  If war rises against me, even then I will keep trusting. (v. 2-3)  Why so brave?  Back to verse 1!  The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid. (v. 1)  Every military man knows what a stronghold is; it’s a safe place!

Friends, listen to David’s words.  “…my light…my salvation…stronghold of my life.”  The same is true for you!  And if those words are true, then the questions also follow:  Whom shall I fear?  Of whom shall I be afraid?  We do live in a world that can be very dark.  Sin is dark.  People can be dark.  But you are loved and claimed by the Lord, Jesus, who stood one day and proclaimed:  I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. (John 8:12)  And of this light the Bible says:  The light is shining in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5)  Of this Lord and of this light you confess with David, The LORD is my light.

 The LORD is your salvation.  Your Hero.  Your Champion.  What enemy of yours has he NOT defeated?  All your “Goliaths” lie fallen, dead.  Satan, Goliath-like in his power, we, puny by comparison.  Yet, he has been defeated.  The rolled-away stone of the grave of the resurrected Jesus has smashed his head.  He is undone.  His claims on us are just noise.  Jesus lives!  Yet, there is still death.  The grave, Goliath-like taunts us, “Come out to fight!  Let’s see who wins!”  Yet in Jesus, the taunt is flipped!  Through the risen Jesus, our Salvation, we do the taunting,  Death, where is your sting?  Grave, where is your victory?  (1 Corinthians 15:55)

And what of the evildoers who advance against us in this world?  They make their encampments.  We can hear the sounds of them preparing for battle.  They polish their weapons.  They laugh.  We can overhear them at night around their watch-fires already now boasting of our impending doom.  Our Hero, our Champion speaks, I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.  (Luke 12:4)  We go back to our stronghold.  We will be safe tonight, and when the sun rises.

Dear friends, when this world makes you anxious, fearful, full of dread, remember again your safe place!  The LORD is my light and my salvation…the stronghold of my life.  Then sleep, and wake, in peace.

Amen.