When you read Psalm 27, you get the idea that this wasn't a great time in David's life. The psalm can be dated to the time when Saul was trying to kill David, yet it's a psalm of confidence in God in the midst of a battle. That's why it's so appropriate for us, because we are in a spiritual battle against Satan and his forces (see Ephesians 6:12). Psalm 27 gives us four principles to stand firm against the onslaught of the Enemy.

Number one is confidence: "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?.... Though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident" (Psalm 27:1, 3). In the midst of intense fear, David expressed confidence in his commanding officer. This was not an arrogant, boastful kind of a confidence--"Lord, it's okay; I can handle this"--but one that came from knowing the character of God. So, learn to stand behind your commanding officer. When you recognize His power and glory, you can then fight from victory, not for victory.

Number two is reverence for God: "One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I 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 inquire in His temple" (Psalm 27:4). If you have confidence in God, the next logical step is to express it by praying to Him and worshiping Him. When it comes to spiritual battles, public victories are the result of private visits with the Lord.

One of the failures of Christians today is they don't linger long enough to "behold the beauty of the LORD" (v. 4). We want to do it like a fast food restaurant: "Yeah, I'll take a quick blessing with fries." But David had a passion, a narrow focus--intimacy with God--and pursued it emphatically. And the result? "Now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me" (v. 6). A bowed head was a sign of defeat, while a lifted head was a sign of victory. If you have confidence in God and reverence for God, you will be stable and rooted when you go through a spiritual battle.

Number three is obedience to God: "When You said, 'Seek My face,' my heart said to You, 'Your face, LORD, I will seek'" (v. 8). When God told David, "Seek My face," there was immediate compliance and obedience to His word. How do you seek the face of God? By praying, reading His Word, and responding to His will in certain areas of your life through godly counsel, discipleship, and fasting. There's not one single way, so whatever you need in your life to help you grow, go for it. Make obeying Him your singular goal.

Number four is what I call expectance: "Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!" (v. 14). All that was left for David to do was to expect an answer from God and give Him elbow room to do it. In a battle, warriors need to be waiters. Psalm 62:1 says, "Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation."

What battle are you facing today? Family, personal, financial? Can you sing like that little Rwandan girl, "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so"? If you haven't made Jesus Christ your commanding officer, I invite you to find true victory by turning to Him today. Let Him have your life, and watch what He can do with it.