There are many different types of wars: wars between nations, wars within the heart, wars within the home, wars on our streets, wars in our culture. Life is not easy. Often, we cannot choose our circumstances, but we can choose how we respond to them. King David faced many perilous times, including personal attack, enemy invasion, national war, and family betrayal. He understood the feeling of fear, yet responded with confidence. Psalm 27 is one of his prayers that reveals his attitude in the face of war.
I. CONFIDENT IN GOD’S PERSON Psalm 27:1-3
- List the four situations that could have caused David great fear, and apply each one of them to a contemporary situation, or an experience in your own life.
- How did David describe God and why do you think these particular characteristics were an antidote to his fears?
- What two deliberate choices did David make, expressed with “I will…?”
- How could he make these choices? On what was his confidence based?
- When facing war, how did God challenge Joshua to make similar choices in Joshua 1:9? Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:15, 17? The children of Israel in Deuteronomy 20:1, 3-4?
- How did Habakkuk make a similar choice in Habakkuk 3:16-19?
- What is hindering you from making the same choices?
II. CONFIDENT IN GOD’S PROTECTION Psalm 27:4
- What was the priority of David’s life?
- What do you think “the house of the Lord” represents? See Psalm 91:1-2.
- Describe the Lord’s “beauty” from the following verses: Psalm 34:8, Nahum 1:7, Ephesians 2:7, Deuteronomy 3:24, Isaiah 6:3, Ephesians 2:4-5, 1 John 4:16, Job 37:22, 1 Chronicles 29:12, 2 Chronicles 25:8, Psalm 62:11-12, Psalm 119:137, Daniel 2:20, John 1:18 with Hebrews 1:1-3
and Colossians 1:15-20 - As you reflect on God’s beauty or character as you face war, what comfort do you receive from the following verses: Isaiah 43:1-2, Psalm 91:1-16, Psalm 46:1-11?
III. CONFIDENT IN GOD’S PITY Psalm 27:5-12
- What were at least five of David’s requests as he poured out his heart to God in prayer? Give a practical application for each of his requests.
- What are you asking God to do for you? When do you pray? Are you praying more today than you did last week? Write out your own requests of God.
In verse 9, what name does David give to God? How does this name encourage your confidence? - Give phrases from the following verses that encourage you: Psalm 72:13, Isaiah 63:9, Romans 8:31-39, Titus 3:4-5.
- With so much turmoil around him, on what was David focused in v. 11?
- Where is your focus as you face war? When do you read your Bible? Are you reading it more today than you did last week?
IV. CONFIDENT IN GOD’S PURPOSE Psalm 27:13-14
- From v. 13-14, what indication is there that God did not deliver David immediately? Relate v. 13-14 to Psalm 23, Isaiah 40:27-31, Lamentations 3:19-26.
- In the end, what was it that enabled David to overcome his fears? How do you and I overcome our fears? See Hebrews 11:32-34 and 1 John 5:4.
- How was David’s faith strengthened by his life’s experiences? See 1 Samuel 17:34-37 and 1 Samuel 17:45-50.
- Do you think your confidence in God is strengthened more in times of comfort or in times of crisis?
- Do you think that could be one of God’s purposes in allowing us to face war and conflict?
