—Psalm 27:1 (Geneva Bible 1560)
When God shows you his love and forgiveness, there is nothing to be afraid of. This is reïnforced by the fact that David calls God not only his light, but his salvation, and the strength of his life. His point was to put a sort of "threefold shield" between him and whatever he was afraid of.
I just paraphrased part of John Calvin's commentary on Psalm 27 because I think he's onto something.
How often do I turn to God only after all other avenues have turned into dead ends? Had I actually sought God's presence and guidance before my problems began—even if the problems themselves couldn't be avoided—my interpretation of their meaning and impact would have been transformed.
And if this is true of personal problems, how much brighter does the light of God shine—how much more dependable is the strength of God—when people of faith come face-to-face with war, natural disaster, injustice, or even pandemic?
As long as we acknowledge that God is beside us on our path, we know we am not alone. Therefore today's prayer is one of my favorite songs...
Lord Jesus, you shall be my song as I journey.
I’ll tell everybody about you wherever I go.
You alone are my life and my peace and my love.
Lord Jesus, you shall be my song as I journey.
Lord Jesus, I’ll praise you as long as I journey.
May all of my life be a faithful reflection of you.
May the earth and the sea and the sky join my song.
Lord Jesus, I’ll praise you as long as I journey.
As long as I live, Jesus, make me your servant
To carry your cross and to share all your burdens and tears,
For you saved me by giving your body and blood.
As long as I live, Jesus, make me your servant.
I fear in the dark and the doubt of my journey,
But courage will come with the sound of your steps by my side;
And with all of the family you saved by your love,
I’ll sing to your dawn at the end of my journey.*
I offer this prayer in the Name of the One who taught me to pray: Our Father...
This is the English translation of the French song Jésus, je voudrais te chanter sur ma route. It comes from Les Petites Soeurs de Jésus.
