Week 12
Psalm 57:1 “Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, for my soul takes refuge in You; and in the shadow of Your wings, I will take refuge until destruction passes by.”
David wrote this psalm when Saul was chasing him to kill him. David was fearful for his life; thus, he fled. But David did more than flee, David prayed. This is the prayer of David during that difficult and dangerous time in his life.
David took refuge in the shadow of God’s wings. What does this mean? It meant that David trusted in the Lord to guide him, watch over him, and protect him from harm. It meant that David depended upon God to be faithful to His covenant promise to David.
As one reads these words of David, “my soul takes refuge in You; and in the shadow of Your wings, I will take refuge”, one senses that David is experiencing peace, calm, and quiet assurance “until destruction passes by.” The peace of God’s people enduring a time of great struggle and danger is truly remarkable. The storm clouds overhead only heightens the sense of sweet rest and shelter under the providential and caring wings of our Lord Jesus. We look to Him, we seek Him, we pray to Him, and we enjoy His caring company. The calm is richer because of the danger.
Note that during such times of resting in God’s promise and care, David also prays. What does he pray? He says to the Lord in prayer, “Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me.” Saul had the power, and Saul hated David. Saul would surely kill David if he had the chance, and David knew it. But David knew where to go in such a time; David went to the Lord in prayer. And in prayer David poured out his soul to God, beseeching His mercy and protective kindness. David prayed that God would be gracious to him. This is the word that is built on the idea of grace. David knew that in his present circumstances, he needed the grace of God. Only God could help him, and God’s gracious assistance was what he sought.
Dear Christian friend, do you feel in this hour that Satan is pursuing you every bit as much as Saul sought after David? Do you feel the threats of this evil on your soul? Look to the Lord, turn to the Lord, and pray to the Lord. Pour out your heart to Him and do so with faith and utter confidence that God hears your prayer and will do what is right in His sight in your life. You are in God’s hands; rest under the shelter of His wings. In that shadow of peace, you will find assurance and security until destruction passes by, and it will.
Prayer: Dear Lord, please grant to us this day to know Your peace that passes all human comprehension. So many of us are in turmoil and risk in these precipitous days. Please give us the calm assurance that we are Yours, and You take care of Your own. Do as You will in our lives, for You always do what is right. Amen.