When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek” (Psalm 27:8)
Psalm 27 reveals David’s greatest fear—losing fellowship with God. He could bear losing his home, his country, even his life, but he could not face separation from His heavenly Father. After praising God at the beginning of the psalm for His faithful deliverances and persevering protection (vv. 1–3), David demonstrates how fellowship with God was the single most important element in his life. “One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life” (v. 4). Despite all David had endured throughout his life, the one thing that stood paramount in his heart and mind was the presence of the living God. We see in later verses how the thought of losing this fellowship brought anguish to David’s soul: “Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help. Do not leave me or forsake me, O God of my salvation” (v. 9). The passion that flowed from David’s love for God unmistakably marked every aspect of his life.
David found consolation in the truth that God will never forsake His people. He calls God his Savior and confidently proclaims that God will receive him into his fellowship forever. This is the hope that held David firm through all his struggles, through all his temptations. He knew that His blessed Savior would guard him so that one day he would stand in glory before the throne of heaven. David calls God his light, denoting the undying joy and happiness that comes with a relationship with the Lord. He also portrays Him as his salvation and strength of life, describing how God not only keeps him safe throughout his life, but in death as well.
David’s tranquility and peace stemmed from the knowledge that God would always protect him. Because of this, David longed for one thing—not to be separated from God’s holy sanctuary. The tabernacle symbolized the faithful presence of God. Even though believers today do not look to a physical tabernacle or temple, we do set our hope on the faithfulness of God. Like David, the believer’s hope is to dwell in the presence of God forever, and his fear is to be thrust from the protecting arms of his heavenly Father even for a moment.
What are your greatest fears? Do they include losing fellowship with God? What should be your greatest desire? Pray to God today telling Him your fears and asking Him to protect you and give you peace. Also, confess before Him the desires of your heart as David did.
