(Note: The AI-generated content is my graphics.)

Some seasons of life leave me asking three questions, and Psalm 27 speaks to all three:

What should I be afraid of?

Which way should I go?

And how long will I have to wait?

Question #1: What should I be afraid of?

David begins with confidence: “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” I love that David calls God “my light.” Maybe that’s part of the answer to his own question. Whom should I fear when the Lord is the One lighting my way?

So much of my fear comes from what I cannot see. What will happen? What if things don’t turn out the way I hope? What is waiting for me around the next corner? When life feels uncertain, I want God to turn on a giant spotlight and show me the entire road. But often, He doesn’t.

That reminds me of another psalm: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105). A lamp doesn’t illuminate miles down the road. It gives enough light to see where to place my next step.

Courage isn’t having enough light to see the whole road. Courage is trusting the One holding the light.

I want enough light for the next year, but God often gives me enough light for today. And because the Lord Himself is my light and my salvation, I don’t have to fear what I cannot yet see.

Question #2: Which way should I go?

Later David prays: “Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path.” (Psalm 27:11). That’s a prayer I need often: “Lord, teach me Your way—not simply the way I want things to go.” When I don’t know what decision to make, what direction to take, or what God is doing, I can ask Him to teach me and lead me.

Question #2: How long will I have to wait?

This is the hardest part for me: “Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14).

I don’t particularly like waiting. I want answers, direction, resolution—and preferably now. I want God to light up the whole path so I can see where I’m going and when I’ll get there. But faith doesn’t require seeing the whole path; it requires trusting the One holding the lamp. David doesn’t tell me to wait until I understand. He tells me to “be strong, take courage, and wait for the Lord.” Sometimes courage is moving forward when God says, “Go.” But sometimes courage is staying right where I am until God says, “Go.”

Psalm 27 reminds me that I don’t need enough light for the entire journey. I need enough light for the next step—and enough faith to trust God with everything I still cannot see. He is my light when the way is dark. He teaches me when I don’t know the way. And He gives me courage when the way includes waiting.   

Today my prayer is simple: “Lord, be my light. Teach me Your way. Give me enough light for the step in front of me—and when I can’t see what comes next, give me the courage to wait for You.”