This is the month of Elul on the Hebrew calendar and traditionally, a month of repentance as we prepare for the Fall Feasts, most especially, Yom Kippur.  Psalm 27 is one of the Psalms read daily during this period and several days ago I posted the first of several meditations from this passage.  Here is another from verses 2 & 3.

² When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,
My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.
³ Though a host encamp against me,
My heart will not fear;
Though war arise against me,
In spite of this I shall be confident.

It is September 2015 and there are a thousand people claiming that this could shape up to be a wildly eventful month.  Blood moon, solar eclipse, Pope at the UN, end of the Shmita, beginning of the Yovel, etc…  No doubt, prophecy seems to be accelerating and bears watching, but the troublesome aspect is how many people get totally bent out of shape and focus on nothing but the bad.

Yet, these verses clearly say, beginning with the end of v. 1, that “Yehovah is my defense…, Whom shall I fear?”  And, these verses continue the thought by laying out some dreadful thoughts about enemies, adversaries and hosts (armies)!  Still, the Psalmist ‘will not fear’ and is ‘confident.’  Why?Looking back at verse one,

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread?

But the Word says,

^{Pro. 18:10} The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
The righteous runs into it and is safe.

^{Psalm 61:2} From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
³ For You have been a refuge for me,
A tower of strength against the enemy.
⁴ Let me dwell in Your tent forever;
Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah.

Where is our focus?  And, our faith?

Significantly, Psalm 27 is particularly chosen for this season of repentance and drawing close precisely because it is the time just before Judgment comes.  While Abba often uses human agency to accomplish His will, it is His judgment nonetheless.  How much then do we need to be walking in repentance and humility knowing that the evil causing us fear may be precisely there to drive our wandering hearts back to Him, and so that He might display His glory and Arm of Salvation?  When we focus on the enemy and fear and dread, we focus on exactly the wrong thing.

Now, understand, I do not advocate a head-in-the sand posture because we are called to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.  We are also commanded to know the times and seasons that we not walk as those in darkness, but we are not commanded to walk in or react with FEAR.  Rather, we have an Elohim that is our Salvation.  Further, when we walk in His commandments, blessings, not curses are promised.  [Caveat: We are not promised a trouble-free life because He often uses tough situations to refine us, but we can be confident in the ultimate victory!  God wins, and we with Him!]

This week’s Torah portion included this verse,

^{Deu. 28:7} “The Lord shall cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they will come out against you one way and will flee before you seven ways.

When we walk in repentance and keep His commandments, we need not fear.

The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?

I highly recommend all albums by Sons of Korah.  This is one of four pieces on the Wait album from Psalm 27.  More in the next meditation.