The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?
When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident.

One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.”

Psalms 27:1–5 NASB

First, there is the assurance of personal guidance. Notice with me the personal pronouns related to the activity of God in the life of every believer. “He will hide me in His pavilion. In the secret place of His tabernacle will He hide me. He shall set me upon a rock.” There are three things to notice about the activity going on in this verse. Please understand, it is a personal activity. This is something God does of His own will on behalf of every true believer. It is also a gracious activity. We do not earn it or deserve it; God acts because He chooses to care for those who belong to Him. And it is a protective activity. He hides us, shelters us, and lifts us up to a place of safety.

Second, there is the assurance of powerful guardianship. Understand, David tells us that the Lord will hide him in His pavilion. A king’s pavilion was a tent erected in the middle of the army’s encampment. The tent was thus surrounded by an army of brave soldiers. With all the host of the army camped about, it was the safest place on the battlefield. Those fortunate enough to be allowed to enter the king’s pavilion were protected by the soldiers and entertained by the king during the battle.

Could there be a safer place in the universe? Of course not. Those who have entered His pavilion are protected by Him and, even while the battles rage around us, we are entertained with the peace and joy of the King Himself. This is a promise to those who will abide in that close place. No enemy could penetrate the defenses and enter this private place.

Here are three examples of what it means to be protected and entertained in the King’s pavilion. First, “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7. Second, “And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.” 1 Peter 1:8. And our third verse, “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” John 15:11. Do you see? Peace, joy, and fullness. These are the entertainments of the King while the battle rages outside.

Truly, this is for those who will abide close to Him. The assurance of His powerful guardianship allows us to weather the storms of life with confidence and victory. This was what allowed David to face Goliath. This was the confidence that kept Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. This was the assurance that gripped the heart of Daniel. This was the knowledge that allowed Paul to continue, even when he suffered greatly, 2 Corinthians 12:7-11.

The same assurance these men had as they faced life is the same assurance we have as we face each day. The Lord still hides us away in His pavilion to provide safety and joy, even during the battles. He puts us in a place where the enemy cannot approach us. The enemies of life may snarl and threaten, but they are powerless to reach us when we are sheltered by the Lord.

Third, there is the assurance of present peace and future glory. To abide with God now is not only to be safe in the present battle, it is to begin tasting the glory that awaits us. The one who shelters us in His pavilion today is the same one who will present us faultless before the throne of His glory with exceeding joy. In His presence we have peace now, and in His presence we will have glory forever.

So we have seen three great assurances. First, there is the assurance of personal guidance. Second, there is the assurance of powerful guardianship. Third, there is the assurance of present peace and future glory. These belong to all who make the Lord their light, their salvation, and the defense of their life. Abide close to Him, and you will know these truths not merely as doctrine, but as living experience.