THE SOURCE OF MY CONFIDENCE
Pastor Dennis Clanton
Woodland Church
September 6, 2023
(Psalm 27:1–5, NLT) “The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock.”
1. THE LORD IS MY LIGHT
(1 Timothy 6:16, NLT) “He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him.”
(John 1:5,9, NLT) “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. … The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.”
A. Some of my troubles are manageable
(Psalm 23:4, NASB) “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
B. Some of my troubles turn into blessings
(Psalm 119:71, Message) “My troubles turned out all for the best— they forced me to learn from your textbook.”
C. Some of my troubles require God’s protection
(Psalm 27:1, 9,11–12, NLT) “The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?…don’t abandon me, O God of my salvation! … Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. Do not let me fall into their hands.”
2. THE LORD IS MY SALVATION
(Psalm 28:8, NLT) “The Lord gives his people strength. He is a safe fortress for his anointed king.”
3. THE LORD IS MY FORTRESS
(Psalm 27:1, NLT) “The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?”
(Proverbs 18:10, NLT) “The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.”
a. Light is spiritual understanding
b. Salvation is the greatest deliverance
c. Fortress is the refuge our Lord is to us from the troubles of life
“The Lord is my light, to guide me; my salvation, to deliver me; and the stronghold of my life, in whom I take refuge.” – John Stott, Favorite Psalms
4. THE PRAYER OF CONFIDENCE
(Psalm 27:7–9, NLT) “Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me, O God of my salvation!”
(Psalm 27:10, NLT) “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.”
God Gives Four Things Children Expect from Loving Parents.
a. God accepts me
(Psalm 27:9, NLT) “Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me, O God of my salvation!”
b. God listens to me
(Matthew 7:7, NLT) “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”
c. God leads me
(Psalm 27:11, NLT) “Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me.”
d. God protects me
(Psalm 27:1, NLT) “The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?”
GROWTHWORK
(Psalm 27:7, NLT) “Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me!”
(Psalm 27:13–14, NLT) “Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”