The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Psalm 57:1,
"Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed."
We are told in the superscript of Psalm 57 that David penned it on the occasion of when he hid in a cave from Saul and his men. There are at least a couple of "cave" accounts concerning David in 1 Samuel: chapter 22 and chapter 24.
In this psalm David cries out to the Lord in the midst of danger he faced, "those who hotly pursue me", verse 3. He told God that he sought refuge in him, "in the shadow of your wings." David relied on the Lord, specifically because of the Lord's love and faithfulness, verse 3, "God sends forth his love and his faithfulness."
Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines "refuge" as "shelter or protection from danger or distress." It also defines it as "something to which one has recourse in difficulty."
We all seek refuge at some point in our lives from various threats or dangers. If that danger be violence, we might dial 911. If it be from some potential financial disaster, we might seek refuge in the form of the advice of a trusted financial advisor. If that danger be some serious medical condition, we might turn to a well-respected medical provider.
Throughout the book of Psalms we learn the Lord wants us to turn to him as a refuge. Someone we can place our faith in, someone who loves and cares for us, someone who has the ability to act as a refuge on our behalf.
"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." Psalm 34:8. "How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings." Psalm 36:7. "From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings." Psalm 61:2-4.
Perhaps one of the most moving of all psalms concerning the Lord as our refuge is Psalm 91,
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
Surely he will save you
from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
If you say, "The Lord is my refuge,"
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
"Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation."
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed."
We are told in the superscript of Psalm 57 that David penned it on the occasion of when he hid in a cave from Saul and his men. There are at least a couple of "cave" accounts concerning David in 1 Samuel: chapter 22 and chapter 24.
In this psalm David cries out to the Lord in the midst of danger he faced, "those who hotly pursue me", verse 3. He told God that he sought refuge in him, "in the shadow of your wings." David relied on the Lord, specifically because of the Lord's love and faithfulness, verse 3, "God sends forth his love and his faithfulness."
Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines "refuge" as "shelter or protection from danger or distress." It also defines it as "something to which one has recourse in difficulty."
We all seek refuge at some point in our lives from various threats or dangers. If that danger be violence, we might dial 911. If it be from some potential financial disaster, we might seek refuge in the form of the advice of a trusted financial advisor. If that danger be some serious medical condition, we might turn to a well-respected medical provider.
Throughout the book of Psalms we learn the Lord wants us to turn to him as a refuge. Someone we can place our faith in, someone who loves and cares for us, someone who has the ability to act as a refuge on our behalf.
"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." Psalm 34:8. "How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings." Psalm 36:7. "From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings." Psalm 61:2-4.
Perhaps one of the most moving of all psalms concerning the Lord as our refuge is Psalm 91,
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
Surely he will save you
from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
If you say, "The Lord is my refuge,"
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
"Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation."
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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