Following is something I wrote (i.e. God gave me!) for an assignment for class a few weeks ago. I have been encouraged to share it here. I pray it blesses you!

Psalm 27

[Paraphrased by Mary Comm]

My sons and daughters,

I know your way is hard.  The pressures of life are great.  I know how natural it is for your heart to be afraid, to worry, to be overwhelmed by your circumstances.  I see your struggles to be good, to carry the weight of your load, and to carry it well.  I see how this life and our enemy beats you down and wears you out.

But what I want you to hear from Me today, is that I love you.  I want you to know that I am your light and your salvation.  I am your strength and your saving grace; I am your Redeemer.  I know you are afraid…but you do not have to be afraid.  There is truly no one, no thing you need to fear when you are under My light and when you are encompassed in My salvation.

I know that evil is always close on your heels, taunting you, testing you, trying you.  It comes in many forms: some pleasing to the eye, some frightening, and some that even seem inconsequential.  (Perhaps these are the most dangerous of all!)  But hear this: your enemies will not win out!  Eventually this evil will fall, and if you are resting in Me, walking with Me, evil will have no power over you.  You do not have to be afraid of it!  If you are walking with Me even war, even death will not shake your confidence or cause your heart to fear.

You see, my child, I am your safety.  I am your safe place.  The place you can come to, to unload your cares and worries of the day.  I am your safe refuge, a shelter when the storms of this life barrage you.  I am here for you, and in Me is the most amazing beauty you can imagine.  See those Rocky Mountains across the western horizon?  They are but a fraction of the beauty that is Me.  My beauty is not merely outward attractiveness; it is, in fact, all-encompassing exquisiteness, splendor, and magnificence, on every level, in every conceivable and inconceivable way.  With Me there is no doubt or fear or pressure or terror.  Even your pain is transformed when you bring it into My dwelling place.

I do not need anything from you in order for you to come into My safety…. You do not have to be perfect.  I know your imperfections.  We will work on those areas of weakness as we go, My child.  But know this: your imperfections, your struggles, your failures and weaknesses do not define you.  They merely define the areas in which you need My grace, mercy and transforming power.  And they define areas in which you will someday be able to walk with others as they too learn to overcome by My strength and grace.  But no, they do not define who you are.  You are Mine!  And I have made you glorious!  You may be glory-in-the-rough right now, in your own eyes, but I see you through My Son Jesus; and in Him you are fully glorious, fully transformed, perfect in every way!  No, you do not have to be anything for Me in order to come into My safety.  Jesus has done all that is required on your behalf!

As you come into My safe refuge, I will give you what you need.  If you are weak, I will give you My strength.  If you are lonely, I will be your Companion and Friend.  If you are weary, I will provide the rest and refreshment you need.  If you are afraid, I will be your strong tower, your fortress, impenetrable to any enemy you may have.  If you are lost in the chaos of this world, I will be your True North.  I will guide you.  I am already guiding you, whether you see My hand or not.  I am there leading you.  Rest in that, My child.  Put your trust in Me and come into My safety.

As you do this, you will rise above your enemies as never before.  They will scatter at the sound of your joy and praises in Me.  As your heart sings to Me, the forces of hell will cower and shriek in terror as they retreat.  There is no power on earth like the power of your praise to Me.  So rejoice!  Praise!  Sing to My glory!  And smile as your enemies leave a cloud of dust rising behind them!

Remember that I am your Helper, no matter what you face, no matter what you go through.  No matter who forsakes you; no matter what rejection you endure—even from those who should love you the most—I will be there for you.  Seek My face.  Look for Me in My Word, in My creation, and even in your circumstances; for I am there.  I am always with you.  I will never leave you nor forsake you.  I will receive you into My joy and My peace.

Sometimes you may need to look harder than others.  Beyond being your light and salvation, your Savior and your Friend, I am you Lover….  And as your Lover I want to be pursued!  Look for me—not merely to meet your needs, but because you love Me.  When you do this, nothing will be able to come between us!  I will enter into your presence as never before.

Then you will know satisfaction and peace.  I will teach you My ways.  I will lead you in the path that will take you straight where you need to go.  Those who oppress you will still pursue you, but as you continue to seek Me, I will never hand you over to them.  They will spread lies about you, reject you, condemn you, and try to hurt you in many ways.  That is a consequence of the free will I have given man.  But you can be confident, My child, that whatever befalls you, when you are seeking Me and resting in Me, My goodness will be the overarching tenor of your life.

As for the bigger circumstances in your life, the ones that tempt you to question or doubt Me, simply wait.  Wait for Me.  My timing is perfect.  I am never late.  I never take My eyes off you.  I am always aware of what you are going through and what you are feeling.  But I will not act until the time is right.  Trust that I am already working on your behalf; but leave the results, the outcomes to Me and to My timing.

Be strong in My strength in you as you wait.  Do not lose heart.  Do not let discouragement overcome you.  You have a choice in how you wait for Me.  Choose to wait in the shelter of My grace and provision.  Lean into Me and wait for Me knowing that I have your best interests, and the best interests of those you love, at heart.

And never forget: My child, You are the joy of My heart.

Your Devoted Father and King