Psalm 57
Tuesday, 23 March 2021
“I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.” -Psalm 57:1
Here is a joyful expression of confidence in God in the midst of a difficult situation the Psalmist is passing through, with an assurance that God would step in for him and hence he determines to praise and honour Him. It is easy to praise God for His greatness during the good times but the Psalm reveals David’s attitude towards God at the time of a crisis he faced— hiding from Saul in the caves of Adullam. Some of these caves were very large inside to accommodate all the men of David at one time (1Samuel 22:1; 2 Samuel 23:13). Interestingly Saul also happened to take rest with his people in the same caves while they were searching for David to kill him. But David had the protection of the Mighty God as he declares faithfully in the Psalm that he “will take refuge in the shadow of His wings until destructive storms pass by.” As we know from the Book of Samuel, God honors the faith of this great man of God and delivers him from his enemy, while Saul and his men were asleep.
Here we see the difference between a common man and a man of God. Anyone could have taken it as the God-given opportunity to overcome his fierce enemy by easily destroying him; but the real man of God acted differently, having the heart of the Lord, by not harming him. David knew that Saul was chosen and anointed by God and He would have His own time and way of dealing with Saul. David also knew God would protect him in all his adverse situations and it is perfectly okay to wait for God’s time. Hence David’s heart was always fixed on the Lord rather than fear the enemy or destroy him. David only cut a portion of Saul’s cloth to let him know that he is alive just because David was a man of God. In the book of Samuel, we read that this incident helped to change the heart of Saul, but only for a short while. When we consider the end of Saul, the first king of Israel chosen by God- how he miserably failed to keep his heart fixed on God, we feel truly sad.
For us who follow Jesus Christ, He has commanded us not to fear anyone who cannot kill the soul (Matthew 10:28)—meaning we don’t have to worry about the worldly enemies (under the influence of the evil one) or adverse situations in our life. The irrevocable promise from Jesus that He is with us till the end of time. (Matthew 28: 20) gives us assurance. Since He is the one who commands the world, if He is for us, who can be against us? This is a promise millions of Christians bank on, in their daily lives in living before the world as His disciples, to bring glory to Him! The promise encourages them to spread the good news of this Saviour to people who have not heard about Him. Our Lord loves them too- He is the only one who paid for the sins of us all! This understanding should make us all the more fervent to reach our less privileged brethren with the good news of Christ the Redeemer, while keeping our heart fixed on the Lord!
Be encouraged:
“Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the LORD.”
(Psalm 27:14)