I saw a heartwarming picture of a mother bird, a dove, protecting her two baby birds under her wings. Perhaps you’ve seen photographs like that. We all know how a mother hen will gather her chicks under her feathers when there is danger. That is one way that birds protect their young. It is also one way that God, in His Word, describes how He protects His children, under His wings, just as a mother bird does her young. Our psalm for today is one time where we read this. Let’s look into this psalm.
Psalm 57 was written by David when he had to hide in a cave from King Saul. For several years David had to live on the run from King Saul who plotted to kill him, and much of that time was spent out in the wilderness. Several times he found refuge hiding in caves, and this psalm was written on one such occasion. Having to hide in a cave to save one’s life showed how dire and dangerous David’s circumstances were right then. Right at the beginning of the psalm, we read David’s pleading with God to show him mercy, to let him live and not be captured and killed by his enemy, Saul (vs. 1). David could not trust in any man to save him. If he was to be saved, the Lord alone would have to do it.
David trusted in God, just as the baby birds trust and feel safe under their mother’s wings. He knew that his real refuge was not deep inside a cave, but was in the Lord, His protective care, and the shadow of His wings. God cares for His children, even more than any bird or animal does their young. We know how protective a mother lion or bear is for her cubs! God cares for us even more so! David was safe, not because he was deep in a cave, but because God was watching over him. David had a sanctuary of peace in the Lord while hiding in that cave. When life becomes overwhelming and stressful, only our relationship with God can truly calm our souls.
There are some people who feel that their problems are not really important to God, that He has much greater problems in this world to attend to than their petty concerns. David believed that God was supreme, that He was the Most High God (vs. 2), yet he believed he could call upon Him. Even though God is Most High over all of creation, He is still intimately involved in the believer’s lives. Whatever is needed in our lives at any given time, God will provide for it.
Sometimes our enemies can seem like ferocious animals (vs. 4), as they did to David right then. The wicked are like menacing animals, ready to destroy their prey, with their razor-sharp teeth. They are like a consuming fire. David also described these enemies as having tongues like sharp swords. Some of his problems stemmed from those who fed lies about him to King Saul. Sometimes we are the victims of other’s gossip, harsh criticism, and lies. Verbal cruelty can hurt us as much as physical abuse. Rather than answering back, we need to take it to the Lord. When confronted with verbal attacks, the best defense is to be quiet and praise God, knowing that our confidence is in His love and faithfulness.
David was hunkering down in a cave for the safety of his own life, a time when we can understand him being afraid. Yet what do we see him doing? As we continue reading, we see that David made a decision to not give in to fear, but instead to give praise to God (vs. 7). David was so eager to praise the Lord, he couldn’t wait until the morning. He was up so early he could have woken up the dawn (vs. 8). When the stress and our emotions overwhelm us, we need to make a deliberate act to praise God, and give Him our burdens. Then He can bring peace to our hearts.
In closing, the words of an old-time hymn come to mind, which I share.
Under His wings I am safely abiding,
Tho the night deepens and tempests are wild;
Still I can trust Him, I know He will keep me,
He has redeemed me and I am His child.
Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.
No comments:
Post a Comment