Mt. Zion UMC Bible Messages by Pastor Rob Robinson
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"In the Shadow of Your Wings" June, 2019
"In the Shadow of Your Wings" June, 2019
In the 2nd part of Psalm 57:1 we read, “I will take refuge in the shadow of Your wings, until the disaster has passed.” The King James Version has it, “...in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.”
It’s believed, of course, as the superscription indicates in most Bibles, that David wrote these words during his flight to safety from King Saul. To avoid him and his army, David ducked into a cave and barely escaped his pursuer.
We ALL have our "caves," don’t we? Oh, it may not be a literal cave of sand and stone, but when we’re pursued by something that strikes fear or anxiety in our hearts, we try to escape somehow. Maybe it’s the fear of an unknown future, or the known (or perceived) future - where everything’s the same; nothing gets better; and we’re stuck in lost hope with little or no satisfaction to dream of. It could be the deep sorrow that follows the loss of someone we love and care deeply about. Or it may even be an oppressive physical illness that never leaves—in spite of medical care. Whatever our "calamity" or "disaster," we try desperately to hide from it.
When we’re caught in situations such as these, God doesn’t always remove our circumstances to make things easy for us; at times - more often than not - God allows the difficulty so as to prove our faithfulness or endurance; to enable us to devote ourselves entirely to His everlasting love, care and continual concern while we’re going through our trials. After all, He wants to demonstrate to us that His presence is always with us.
Oh, how we wish most often, that almighty God would swoop in and resolve the situation; that He would whisk us away to safety- just as David may’ve wished for a quick end of Saul’s search for him. Oh, how we plead with God to stop the pain, end the temptation, sooth the memories, and/or make our way smooth and straight. Essentially, all we want is for our God to step in and eliminate our struggle. But no matter how long and hard we beg the situation or circumstance remains.
It’s then that we have to "take refuge in God" as David did. While he was hiding in that cave, he said, “In the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed away.”
That is to say, David waits patiently with faith in God as it is greater than the turmoil at hand. Notice, that David didn’t demand deliverance, as though he had a right to expect it. However, he asks it as a mercy from the Almighty Himself as a blessing stemming from God’s kindness. So David snuggles in the cave, much like a chicken does within its’ mother's wings; and he will remain there until the storms of life are over. That is to say, David cries out to the Most High God in confidence that no one or nothing would hinder God from accomplishing the purposes He had in mind for His people.
So David waits, and when the answer comes from above, it means deliverance for the trusting heart, and dishonor for those who disregard such trust. It’s simply an unforgettable message of God’s love and dependability for His faithful children.
Are you amid trials, tribulations, difficulties, or distresses? Take refuge within the cave that Almighty God has provided.
An anonymous poet put it this way:
Christian, when your way seems darkest
When your eyes with tears are dim,
Straight to God your Father hastening,
Tell your troubles all to Him.
Amen.
See you in church,
Pastor Rob
Dr. K. A. ‘Rob’ Robinson
It’s believed, of course, as the superscription indicates in most Bibles, that David wrote these words during his flight to safety from King Saul. To avoid him and his army, David ducked into a cave and barely escaped his pursuer.
We ALL have our "caves," don’t we? Oh, it may not be a literal cave of sand and stone, but when we’re pursued by something that strikes fear or anxiety in our hearts, we try to escape somehow. Maybe it’s the fear of an unknown future, or the known (or perceived) future - where everything’s the same; nothing gets better; and we’re stuck in lost hope with little or no satisfaction to dream of. It could be the deep sorrow that follows the loss of someone we love and care deeply about. Or it may even be an oppressive physical illness that never leaves—in spite of medical care. Whatever our "calamity" or "disaster," we try desperately to hide from it.
When we’re caught in situations such as these, God doesn’t always remove our circumstances to make things easy for us; at times - more often than not - God allows the difficulty so as to prove our faithfulness or endurance; to enable us to devote ourselves entirely to His everlasting love, care and continual concern while we’re going through our trials. After all, He wants to demonstrate to us that His presence is always with us.
Oh, how we wish most often, that almighty God would swoop in and resolve the situation; that He would whisk us away to safety- just as David may’ve wished for a quick end of Saul’s search for him. Oh, how we plead with God to stop the pain, end the temptation, sooth the memories, and/or make our way smooth and straight. Essentially, all we want is for our God to step in and eliminate our struggle. But no matter how long and hard we beg the situation or circumstance remains.
It’s then that we have to "take refuge in God" as David did. While he was hiding in that cave, he said, “In the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed away.”
That is to say, David waits patiently with faith in God as it is greater than the turmoil at hand. Notice, that David didn’t demand deliverance, as though he had a right to expect it. However, he asks it as a mercy from the Almighty Himself as a blessing stemming from God’s kindness. So David snuggles in the cave, much like a chicken does within its’ mother's wings; and he will remain there until the storms of life are over. That is to say, David cries out to the Most High God in confidence that no one or nothing would hinder God from accomplishing the purposes He had in mind for His people.
So David waits, and when the answer comes from above, it means deliverance for the trusting heart, and dishonor for those who disregard such trust. It’s simply an unforgettable message of God’s love and dependability for His faithful children.
Are you amid trials, tribulations, difficulties, or distresses? Take refuge within the cave that Almighty God has provided.
An anonymous poet put it this way:
Christian, when your way seems darkest
When your eyes with tears are dim,
Straight to God your Father hastening,
Tell your troubles all to Him.
Amen.
See you in church,
Pastor Rob
Dr. K. A. ‘Rob’ Robinson