“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” With those opening words, Psalm 27 answers the deepest anxieties of the human heart. Fear stalks every corner of life—fear of trouble, fear of enemies, fear of failure, fear of sickness, and finally, fear of death itself. Yet David lifts his eyes above every shadow and declares that the Lord Himself is his light, his stronghold, and his confidence.

For us who live on this side of the cross, these words shine even brighter. We know how the Lord has become our salvation. Jesus Christ stepped into our darkness, carried our sin, faced our enemies, and walked straight into death. On the cross He absorbed everything that could ever terrify us, and by His victorious resurrection He shattered the power of the grave. Because Christ lives, the tomb cannot hold those who belong to Him. The fear of death—humanity’s greatest dread—has been disarmed.

This confidence is not wishful thinking; it is anchored in the promises of God that come to us through His Word. Faith is strengthened when we hear His voice—when Scripture assures us again and again that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ. And this faith is nourished as we live in our baptismal grace, daily remembering that we have been united with Christ in His death and resurrection. The Sacraments draw us back to this truth: Christ is our refuge, our stronghold, our life.

So, we wait for the Lord—not with trembling, but with hope. Whatever comes, we stand in the safety of the One who conquered death for us. The grave has no claim, fear has no victory, and we have a Savior who is our light and salvation—today, tomorrow, and forever.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage” (Ps. 27:14a, ESV). Amen.

Prayer – Heavenly Father, grant us courage to lift our eyes above the shadows of this world and to trust in Your victorious power. Strengthen our faith that we may stand unshaken in the hope of Christ’s resurrection, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

In Christ’s service,

Rev. Richard S. Cody
Fourth Vice President, Missouri District