Psalm 27, 31, 34

We must never forget the context of time. Many of us are familiar with the concept of context as it relates to hermeneutics, the interpretation of the Bible. We have all heard some claim, "Hey, you are taking that verse out of context." Reading through the Bible in a year with a chronological reading plan, as I am doing this year, brings such rich insight into these life giving, eternal texts!

These Psalms were written as David was hiding out in the caves of Adullam and other various other locations has he stayed on the run from Saul and his agents. This sort of context is deeply instructive to us because we see that David's declarations of faith are not in hind sight. He is still in crisis. The outcome has not yet become history. They are truly expressions of faith...as the writer of Hebrews would one day write, "...the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen."

Psalm 34 is an all-star line up of truth!

"...blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him."

"...but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing."

"...and His ears are attentive to their cry..."

"...He delivers them from all their troubles..."

"...no one will be condemned who takes refuge in Him."

As well Psalm 27 ends with some of the best advice we can ever remember in times of trouble.

"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

Pastor Fred