1The 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? 
3Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident.  Psalm 27:1-3

In 2001, Contemporary Christian R&B singer and songwriter, Nicole C Mullen, released her hit album “Talk About It.”  On the track entitled “27” Mullen simply reads the words of Psalm 27:1-3 in a tone of striking clarity, deep power, tender awareness, and firm confidence.

At the time of the album’s popular rise, I possessed quite the opposite tone due to circumstances and struggles I was facing.  My soul’s voice, crouching in fear and uncertainty, was weary and wobbly, timid and insecure.  I remember listening to the entire album on repeat over and over, letting it soothe and comfort me with hope that perhaps it really was true.  Light invading darkness, firm ground when all around seems like quicksand, inner peace possible in spite of chaos…

And now, though I may not listen to the same style of music, I still often need the reminder that I can indeed be steadfast in an awareness of God’s presence no matter who is being hurtful toward me, what is going on in my life, when I may be isolated or surrounded, where I may be headed, or how overwhelming and unpredictable circumstances may be…

Oh Lord, my hope and my light…  You are with me always – in the loud and the quiet moments, in the stillness and the whirlwinds…  in the mundane and the stressful…  in certainty and the unknown…  May my soul be confident and fear not, for You are with me…

Rachel Smith