by Paul David Tripp
The LORD is my light and my salvation.
Psalm 27:1

Let’s look again at Psalm 27. What I love about this psalm is that it’s a psalm of trouble. It is perhaps in moments of trouble when your true sense of identity gets most exposed. What you’re really looking to—to give you rest, peace, security, and that inner sense of meaning—will always be exposed in moments of trouble.
This psalm was probably penned by David when he was either hiding out from Saul or fleeing from his own son, Absalom, who was conspiring to take his throne. Here are the first five verses of the psalm:
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. (Ps. 27:1–5)
It’s very interesting that this psalm of trouble doesn’t begin with trouble, but with theology. True rest in trouble is rooted in sound theology. It’s these truths that begin to tell me how to think of my place in this world. The Lord is light; the Lord is salvation; the Lord is a stronghold. Think about what those metaphors point to. The Lord is light. Light in Scripture is that which is pure and holy and just and true. The Lord is salvation. He is the One who delivers me from evil, evil internal and evil external. The Lord is a stronghold—the picture of a fortified city, a place of retreat, a place of rest, a place of safety. Yes, there is One who provides safety.

Thought to Remember for Today

In whatever you may be facing today, you can rest knowing that the Lord is your light, your salvation, your fortified city. You are not alone and He is not weak. He is with you and knows everything you are facing, and—best of all—He loves you.

Fitzpatrick, E. (2016). Grace untamed: a 60-day devotional. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook.