"Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up." — Psalm 57:1-3a
Life in the real world can be full of calamities. They come in all shapes and sizes, in surprising times and places. And they come, ultimately from "him that would swallow [us] up." For David, at this time, the would be devourer was Saul. But behind every Saul, in every Christian's experience, there is another who seeks to destroy us, and if not succeeding in that, would seek to destroy our testimony for Christ. It behooves us, not only for our own sake, but for His glory, that we know how to defend ourselves against our adversary, the devil.
David, in this Psalm, goes to the right Person addressing himself to God and prevailing not upon his own merit, but upon God's mercy. "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed." Note where he has positioned himself: "in the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge." What a refuge! Those who are threatened by life's calamities speak often of the "shadow of death, as does Job many times, and David not infrequently in the Psalms, but here is the triumphant contrast: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty [Ps. 91:1]."
It is a most wonderful thing, in a world of troubles and trials, to have the kind of relationship with God that finds one dwelling where His shadow falls, for there He is in close proximity. And David's God is not a pygmy; He is "God most high," who "performeth all things for me." He is the God of Whom the psalmist says in the concluding verse, "Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Thy glory be above all the earth (v.11)." This is the mighty God for Whom there is no insurmountable challenge. "Is anything too hard for God?" And He is the God of all those who have put their trust in the merits of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Do you, my friend, know Him thus? Have you placed your unwavering confidence in His mercy and His grace? Then He becomes "a very present help in trouble!"
Out of this relationship and confidence, David experiences a twofold assurance. The calamities, whatever their nature, or however long they last, will not last forever; he says, "Until these calamities be overpast." "Under His wings," he is assured that the trial cannot be more than temporary. Furthermore, he is assured of whence his deliverance will come; "He shall send from heaven, and save me… " God, Who is "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think," is the power that works both in us and for us. "Whom then shall we fear?"
How glorious is that kind of relationship with the Living God! Read the rest of the Psalm and observe where such faith inevitably leads us — in praise to "God most high." "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise (v.7, e.g.)." The song that began in a minor key ends with a crescendo of praise. And let it be noted that the scene before him has not changed, but his faith has lifted his vision above the horizon to behold the glory of God and the promise of His sure victory. That is the way the saints are to make the journey from here to eternity.
May David's vision be ours of the Person, power and prospect available to all those who truly put their trust in HIM.
"Under His wings I am safely abiding, Tho the night deepens and tempests are wild;
Still I can trust Him— I know He will keep me, He has redeemed me and I am His child.
Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow! How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing, There I find comfort and there I am blest.
Under His wings, O what precious enjoyment! There will I hide till life's trials are o'er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me, Resting in Jesus I'm safe evermore.
Under His wings, under His wings, Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide, Safely abide forever! — Wm. O Cushing
With eternity in view,
"Pastor" Frasier
Life in the real world can be full of calamities. They come in all shapes and sizes, in surprising times and places. And they come, ultimately from "him that would swallow [us] up." For David, at this time, the would be devourer was Saul. But behind every Saul, in every Christian's experience, there is another who seeks to destroy us, and if not succeeding in that, would seek to destroy our testimony for Christ. It behooves us, not only for our own sake, but for His glory, that we know how to defend ourselves against our adversary, the devil.
David, in this Psalm, goes to the right Person addressing himself to God and prevailing not upon his own merit, but upon God's mercy. "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed." Note where he has positioned himself: "in the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge." What a refuge! Those who are threatened by life's calamities speak often of the "shadow of death, as does Job many times, and David not infrequently in the Psalms, but here is the triumphant contrast: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty [Ps. 91:1]."
It is a most wonderful thing, in a world of troubles and trials, to have the kind of relationship with God that finds one dwelling where His shadow falls, for there He is in close proximity. And David's God is not a pygmy; He is "God most high," who "performeth all things for me." He is the God of Whom the psalmist says in the concluding verse, "Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Thy glory be above all the earth (v.11)." This is the mighty God for Whom there is no insurmountable challenge. "Is anything too hard for God?" And He is the God of all those who have put their trust in the merits of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Do you, my friend, know Him thus? Have you placed your unwavering confidence in His mercy and His grace? Then He becomes "a very present help in trouble!"
Out of this relationship and confidence, David experiences a twofold assurance. The calamities, whatever their nature, or however long they last, will not last forever; he says, "Until these calamities be overpast." "Under His wings," he is assured that the trial cannot be more than temporary. Furthermore, he is assured of whence his deliverance will come; "He shall send from heaven, and save me… " God, Who is "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think," is the power that works both in us and for us. "Whom then shall we fear?"
How glorious is that kind of relationship with the Living God! Read the rest of the Psalm and observe where such faith inevitably leads us — in praise to "God most high." "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise (v.7, e.g.)." The song that began in a minor key ends with a crescendo of praise. And let it be noted that the scene before him has not changed, but his faith has lifted his vision above the horizon to behold the glory of God and the promise of His sure victory. That is the way the saints are to make the journey from here to eternity.
May David's vision be ours of the Person, power and prospect available to all those who truly put their trust in HIM.
"Under His wings I am safely abiding, Tho the night deepens and tempests are wild;
Still I can trust Him— I know He will keep me, He has redeemed me and I am His child.
Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow! How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing, There I find comfort and there I am blest.
Under His wings, O what precious enjoyment! There will I hide till life's trials are o'er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me, Resting in Jesus I'm safe evermore.
Under His wings, under His wings, Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide, Safely abide forever! — Wm. O Cushing
With eternity in view,
"Pastor" Frasier
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