Psalm 27:4 (NKJV)

Bible Commentary

Psalm 27:4 is a Bible verse from a Psalm where King David expresses his heart’s desire to have more of God.

If the sin nature of man and temptations from the devil didn’t get in the way, we could live much closer to the order that God designed for us, particularly in regards to marriage, family and work.

Many years ago, as a married woman with a new baby at home, I prayed for God’s perfect order to manifest in my family and home. I longed for a way to stay home with my baby and raise her myself instead of going back to a full-time job and bringing in someone else to help take care of her.

I knew enough as a disciple of Christ that my burning desire to be home with my baby came from God. However, it was not financially feasible for us to do that at the time. Along the way, God has unearthed many truths in my heart and my marriage that have brought us closer and closer to His perfect order for us as a family.

There is an important lesson to be learned in Philippians 2:3 which says, “Let nothing be done through strife and vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” In the Greek, “strife” means: contention, provoke to anger. The word “vainglory” speaks directly to the devil and his desire to usurp God’s glory for himself.

Unlocking the Truth – Vainglory

The word vainglory refers to a false sense of brightness or splendor, which we are attracted to and deceived into thinking this is where we will find prosperity and honor—victory. Where there is deception, there is Satan.

2 Corinthians 11:14 says, “No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”

The things of the world offer only temporary honor, which is essentially empty. These are things that can easily draw us away from the order of God’s house and the beauty of the Lord described in Psalm 27:4, by a false sense of glory or desire:

·         Money / status

·         Job or work-related opportunity

·         Sports team

·         A person other than your spouse

·         Your child – grades, competitions, beauty, accolades

·         Ministry – accomplishments, spiritual gifts

We can find ourselves so wrapped up in any of these things that we become almost addicted or obsessed with them. We cling to them because even the possibility of winning through them makes us feel powerful, important and on top.

Be careful.  If we cling to these things instead of to God, we can easily fall into a gradual decline from God’s order and a downward spiral into the captivity to a false god, which is where the devil wants to keep us trapped.

If you find yourself here, don’t despair. There is hope. Psalm 27:6 says, “And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me…” We’ve already made progress if we acknowledge the truth in our heart.

The Light of God

The biggest truth of all is in Psalm 27:1, “The Lord is my light and my salvation;” Surrendering to the real and only God of Heaven aligns us with His perfect order and gets us moving in the right direction. The light of God is not empty, but healing and fulfilling.

Psalm 27:11, “Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.” Ask God for forgiveness and join the will of your heart with His will. He will honor and reward your commitment.

We must choose to give up the false light—the vainglory—for the true light, the Lord Himself. He insists on being that “one thing” we desire that Psalm 27:4 states.

God can change our desires, but we must first acknowledge the vain ones in our heart and then be willing to give them up. He replaces them with something so much better, so much sweeter. He can satisfy and fulfill like nothing in this world ever could.

Study the Bible verse of Psalm 27:4 and delight yourself in the Lord.