Secure in the Shadow of His Wings
In the Adelaide Hills there are fire refuges that people can go to during a dangerous fire season. David in Psalm 57 hid from King Saul in a cave. In both cases people are looking for safety and security. What David tells us in this psalm is that it is not the physical location that is the believer’s true refuge, rather it is the Lord Himself (57:1).
David begins by praying for God’s grace because there are who are men seeking his “destruction” (57:1,4). Brethren, we must go to God first in times of trouble, for He alone is our true refuge.
He is confident that God will save him and put to shame those that are trying to hurt him (57:3). In His great love, God will hear his cry and send forth his truth (57:3). He is confident even though his enemies are near and the danger that he is in is constant. David says that his enemies are like lions, and he has no choice but to lie down among them (57:4). Their words cause great pain and destruction, like fire (57:4). They have devised traps for him to catch and hurt him (57:6). Yet, even in these challenging times David’s faith in God is still strong (57:5).
Brethren, David responds to the fiery trials of life with steadfast faith. Even though his enemies are seeking his destruction, he runs to his God for the safety of His wings (57:1). In Christ we have a shelter no matter what this world throws against us. The unchanging nature of God should drive us to joyful singing even in the toughest of times (57:7). When we respond to trials with steadfast trust and praise, it glorifies God as a testimony to God’s love and truth (57:9-11).