Psalm 57:1-3a, 10-11 “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. I cry out to God Most High, to God who vindicates me. He sends from heaven and saves me. . . For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.”
Despite disaster, distress and desperate circumstances, David, the writer of Psalm 57, found safety and protection in God’s covering for him. David fled and “sheltered-in-place” in a cave to escape his enemy (Saul). He also had to contend with lions and hungry beasts while he sought refuge in the cave. He had many challenges but he knew God and he cried out to his Lord for mercy and help. He acknowledged God as his salvation, his only hope. David worshiped and proclaimed God’s unchanging character of love and faithfulness as he exalted God — all while experiencing the trauma of fearing for his life.
It seems to me Psalm 57 is quite relevant to today’s trouble of seeking safety from a potentially deadly enemy (a virus), and experiencing more difficulties from the isolation, loneliness and loss associated with staying home. Yet we too can experience God’s love and faithfulness as we call out to Him in prayer, believing that He hears our request and is able to help. When we know God, we know His never-changing character of love and faithfulness and can trust Him to not fail or abandon us.
David’s focus shifted from the difficult circumstances to God’s ability to provide — mercy, salvation, protection, love and faithfulness. David exalted God. He identified God as one who is above all things — God Most High. Indeed, God is bigger than what’s the matter. His name is above all other gods and all other names including all things that cause distress. When we magnify and exalt God, we are transported to another realm of understanding and can face the difficulty with courage and confidence.
David could have continued to look inward at his thoughts and emotions about his circumstances. He could have continued to look outward at his enemies, the results of the difficulties, and the bad news. Ultimately, David chose to look up and focus on God’s ability, which lead him to magnify and exalt God. He worshiped, sang and made music. There is something tangible that helps to change the atmosphere when you worship God even through pain, suffering and loss. As you do, God will be glorified and His name will be exalted.
Remember this: God loves you. He cares about you and He is always available. Call out to Him and believe He is for you and with you. Focus on Him and His ability instead of your circumstances and experience the joy and peace that can be yours as you trust Him.
As an intercessor, I feel a heavy burden to pray for people facing distress. I am thankful that I can cast all my cares onto Jesus because He cares for me and everyone. My prayer is that we would see God as our hope and salvation as we cry out to Him for mercy, and proclaim God’s great love and faithfulness even in the midst of hardship. I pray we find refuge in God, and that we worship and magnify God and not the current events. May God be glorified in our circumstances and may our hearts be steadfast because we trust God’s sovereignty.
I would love to connect and pray with you about your concerns. Contact me at VianneSatterfield55@gmail.com.
Was just thinking today that I hadn’t read a blog from you in a long time. It could be that they came when I was having massive email issues. I lost 2 weeks worth of emails during that time that I just now realized how extensive it really was. Trust you and Rick are ok.
Love you!
My last blog post was July 30th, so it’s been a couple of weeks. We are both well, thankfully.
Training our ‘eyes’ (thoughts, emotions, desires) to look up to and to exalt the Most High before looking out or looking down is a journey, but so worth it. Blessings.
This training takes spiritual maturity. It helps to hang out with strong mentors that set an example of such maturity. Thanks Sheri for being one of those for me. 🙂
Thank you Vianne. I often imagine my self under the shadow of His wings. There is so much comfort in knowing that our Lord always protects us. We are so blessed.
Indeed, we are blessed by God’s promises to us!