Recently, as I was reading Psalm 27, the Lord said to me, "I'm going to give you a checklist for what to do in time of trouble. It worked for David, and it will work for you." The Psalmist, David, had faced trouble many times in his life but always found God to be more than enough to see him through and to cause him to become the victor in every case.

This checklist has been such a blessing to me that I sensed in my heart it would be beneficial to you. It comes right out of the Word of God, and I, for one, know that it will produce results. Follow it closely, study and meditate the Scripture references and then use it at the very first sign of trouble.

1. REALIZE THAT GOD IS YOUR LIGHT. "The Lord is my light...." (Ps. 27:1).
God is our wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. James 1:5 says, If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. Don't lean to carnal reasoning!

2. REALIZE THAT GOD IS YOUR SALVATION. "...and my salvation..." (Ps. 27:1).
The word "salvation" implies: safety, health, prosperity, deliverance, and soundness. Salvation comes on the wings of confession. Romans 10:10 says, "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

3. REALIZE THAT GOD IS YOUR STRENGTH. "...the Lord is the strength of my life..." (Ps. 27:1).

Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

4. KEEP YOUR HEART FREE FROM FEAR. "...whom shall I fear ...of whom shall I be afraid?" (Ps. 27:1).

Fear activates Satan, just as faith activates God. II Timothy 1:7 says, "For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

5. DON'T CAST AWAY YOUR CONFIDENCE. "...though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident." (Ps. 27:3).

Hebrews 10:35 says, "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." Don't give up, the victory is coming!

6. RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO BECOME OPPRESSED. "Though an host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear... And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me..." (Ps. 27:3,6).

Isaiah 54:14 says, "In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee."

7. OFFER SACRIFICES OF JOY. "...therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy..." (Ps. 27:6).

If Satan can rob you of your joy, he can rob you of your strength also. Nehemiah 8:10 says, "...for the JOY of the Lord is your STRENGTH."

8. SEEK GOD'S FACE - STAY IN HIS PRESENCE. "...When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek" (Ps. 27:8).

Psalms 16:11 says, "Thou wilt shew me the path of life; in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore."

9. FAINT NOT, BUT BELIEVE TO SEE HIS GOODNESS. "...I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living" (Ps. 27:13).

10. WAIT ON THE LORD AND BE OF GOOD COURAGE. "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait I say, on the Lord" (Ps. 27:14).

Wait means "to minister unto," and the Bible tells us in Isaiah 40:31, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

The Bible encourages believers to keep looking up, maintain joy, don't be distracted or discouraged. God is on our side, and He will see us through to VICTORY!

Today's Scripture: Psalm 27:1-14

Source: Faith Building Daily Devotionals by Jerry Savelle
Excerpt permission granted by Jerry Savelle Ministries International