Whom shall I fear - Means of Security and The First Method: The Pavilion

“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)

When we meditate on this hymn of the experienced singer in Psalm 27, we find that, despite the range and the diversity in the sources of fear, David sees that he needs but one thing of the Lord! What is it?!

He asks to dwell in the presence of the Lord. Not to flee from the enemies, nor to ask for rescue, but to enjoy deep fellowship with the Lord: “to behold the beauty of the Lord.”

As David enjoys this habitation in the Holy Place, we find him singing of three great ways that gave him security and peace of mind, namely: Pavilion, Tabernacle, Rock.

Upon reflection, we find that these are beautiful symbols of the means of divine security, amidst: the Rains of Judgment, the Winds of Satan, and the Waves of the World.

He gives peace and tranquility, despite the Day of Evil, the War of the Evil One, and the Approach of the Wicked.

He is able to shout out: “Of whom shall I fear ... I am confident.”
Because, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91: 1).

Let's reflect a little on these three methods.

The First Method: The Pavilion
"The Work of Redemption"

”For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion.” (Psalm 27:5)

A Pavilion protects a person from the rain, which we have seen previously in the Bible as a reference to judgment. As Noah's Ark was a tent of protection from the rains and floods of judgment, so there is nothing that gives assurance to the believer, other than the work of redemption on the Cross and the atonement of Christ. The word "atonement" means "cover". “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” (Ephesians 1: 7).

How beautiful is the verb: “He hides me!”
I can not protect myself, by myself.
But the Lord Himself hides me.
The pavilion here is not my pavilion, but His pavilion.

The Lord has completely finished the work, and all we need to do is to enjoy taking cover in the pavilion of his redemption.

We are not afraid of the wrath of heaven, for we have been made right with God through the death of His Son, and have become children of God. And we do not fear judgment, for Christ has borne our judgment.

In the days of old, Job cried out pleading for a mediator to reconcile him with God, and to put an end to the fear and terror of his punishment and his judgment, saying, “Nor is there any mediator between us, who may lay his hand on us both. Let Him take His rod away from me, and do not let dread of Him terrify me” (Job 9: 33-34).

But now that we have been reconciled with God through the death of His Son, because of the greatest promises of God, we can shout in the time of fear: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine” (Isaiah 43: 1).

It was terror and fear that invaded all the homes of the Egyptians when the Destroyer passed from house-to-house to destroy every first-born son. From the prince to the servant, from the rich to the poor, not one house survived the horror and loss, except for the homes of the people of God, who found refuge in the blood of the lamb, applied to the two doorposts and above the door. “And when I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Ex 12: 13).

Likewise, everyone who seeks refuge in the Pavilion of Redemption, in the blood of the Son of God, is not afraid of wrath, judgment, death or destruction. For judgment passed over, when it fell and swept over Jesus on the cross. “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me” (Psalm 42: 7).

The Lord did not prevent the destruction from coming. However, He protected the homes of the people with blood; and the Destroyer passed over. Therefore the bride calls out, in the Song of Solomon, saying, “For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone” (Song 2: 11).

For judgment has passed over and peace has encompassed the relationship between us and God. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5: 1). We have enjoyed this first peace: peace with God. The believer is not afraid of judgment, because, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8: 1).

Magdy Samuel