The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
--- Psalm 27:1
This has always been my favorite verse, but today it resonates even more deeply when I think of the early Protestants, many of whom were my ancestors. Psalm 27 delivers a powerful peace amid unending torture and fear of death. This is the peace and rest so often described in Scripture . . . in the middle of a storm, if we can only sit back and allow God to take the reigns, He will easily and willingly do so. Even if it is not in the way we ask.
I wondered which of my ancestors might have utilized this verse in times of trouble. Which of these early Protestants, those who knew the importance of memorizing Scripture, brought out this verse when it seemed as if the burden was too heavy? Was it on the martyrs' lips as they were silenced in a blaze of glory and welcomed into God's arms? Was it in the minds of mothers and fathers who answered an ominous knock at the door?
"Whom shall I fear?" Utter, complete, confidence that there is nothing in this world from which God cannot protect us. The days of the Reformation and the trials of the subsequent centuries were fraught with danger and heartache. The common idea of religious freedom was something our Protestant ancestors would have scarcely dared to ponder. But verses such as these gave comfort and reassurance. It must have been an amazing feeling to truly fear nothing. To trust God's judgment in every situation.
I can't help but think that, even in the bloody times in which they lived, these Protestant brethren had a better grasp of peace and faith than modern man ever could. If they could utilize such hope and promise even while living in such a dangerous situation, surely we can do the same today.
(c) 2012 Joyously Saved
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
--- Psalm 27:1
This has always been my favorite verse, but today it resonates even more deeply when I think of the early Protestants, many of whom were my ancestors. Psalm 27 delivers a powerful peace amid unending torture and fear of death. This is the peace and rest so often described in Scripture . . . in the middle of a storm, if we can only sit back and allow God to take the reigns, He will easily and willingly do so. Even if it is not in the way we ask.
I wondered which of my ancestors might have utilized this verse in times of trouble. Which of these early Protestants, those who knew the importance of memorizing Scripture, brought out this verse when it seemed as if the burden was too heavy? Was it on the martyrs' lips as they were silenced in a blaze of glory and welcomed into God's arms? Was it in the minds of mothers and fathers who answered an ominous knock at the door?
"Whom shall I fear?" Utter, complete, confidence that there is nothing in this world from which God cannot protect us. The days of the Reformation and the trials of the subsequent centuries were fraught with danger and heartache. The common idea of religious freedom was something our Protestant ancestors would have scarcely dared to ponder. But verses such as these gave comfort and reassurance. It must have been an amazing feeling to truly fear nothing. To trust God's judgment in every situation.
I can't help but think that, even in the bloody times in which they lived, these Protestant brethren had a better grasp of peace and faith than modern man ever could. If they could utilize such hope and promise even while living in such a dangerous situation, surely we can do the same today.
(c) 2012 Joyously Saved
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