Meditation on Psalm 27

Paul David Tripp is one of my favorite authors--all of his books I've read are honest and real but also bring you back to the Gospel and the love and hope that is waiting with it. I've been reading his book "A Shelter in the Time of Storm: Meditations on God and Trouble" and it has been quite fitting the last several weeks. Tripp goes through Psalm 27 and includes short meditations on verses that serve as a springboard for reflection and time with the Father. A few days ago I came across this one and absolutely loved it. As I've been working through Sonship and recently did a lesson on repentance, this really rang true and was an encouragement. I've copied it below and I hope it is an encouragement to you too!

Psalm 27:9

"Turn not your servant away in anger."

It is such a comfort to me, such a source of hope and strength and daily joy. It gives me reason to get up in the morning and to press on even when I am discouraged and weak and lonely and afraid. It gives me reason to face with courage the struggles within and the difficulties without. It reminds me that I can stand before You as I am, completely unafraid and ask of You what I have asked before and will ask again: Your forgiveness and Your help. What gives me this courage? What offers me this hope? It is this one thing. I know for certain that there are two words that I'll never hear.

I know that you will never look me in the eye and say to me, "Go away!" You will not send me from your presence. You will not drive me from Your grace. You will not separate me from Your glory. You will not eliminate me from Your promises. You will never, ever, ever send me away. Because Your anger was borne by Another. Because my separation was carried by Him. Because He was sent away, I will never, I will never be.

So in weakness, failure, foolishness, and sin, I stand before you once more with courage, hope, comfort, and joy, because I know that in all the dark things that may be whispered to me in this dark and fallen world, there are two words I will never hear. And so with gratitude and joy I get up to face the day but as I do, I do it without fear.