Under the Shadow of His Wings

You can look forward to a new adventure if you have the security of intimacy with God. The closeness depicted in Psalm 63, the assurance of God's help, the confidence found in His love which is better than life, and understanding better how He can work personally in your life can bring anticipation instead of trepidation as we approach change!

One of the hardest and heart wrenching things in life is when we have family problems or difficulties within the home. If things are not right at home, it is hard to find peace any other place! Psalm 63 was written by King David in the desert of Judah, it is thought that it is connected to 2 Samuel 15 and the tragic time in his life when his very own son went behind his back to plot against him and overtake the throne.

Many people have to work through the pain of feeling betrayed by those they love most, whether it is divorce, a rebellious child, or unfaithful spouse for examples. Yet even in the middle of the grief there is hope. This Psalm shows a progression of four key principles to encourage and equip- 1.) Relationship 2.)Remembering 3.) Rejoicing 4.) Receiving

Psalm 63 (NASB)

O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. 3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise You. 4 So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. 5 My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips. 6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches, 7 For You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. 8 My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. 9 But those who seek my life to destroy it, Will go into the depths of the earth. 10 They will be delivered over to the power of the sword; They will be a prey for foxes. 11 But the king will rejoice in God; Everyone who swears by Him will glory, For the mouths of those who speak lies will be stopped.

Relationship

In verse 1, we notice David's intense desire and pursuit of God as he describes his soul and flesh thirsting and longing for such an intimate relationship. We all find ourselves in what feels like "desert" situations whether emotionally, spiritually, physically or relationally. David went to the foundational reality that his personal relationship with God had to be the primary focus. He used the very personal pronoun "my" to describe God. Only God can quench the deepest needs of the soul so David poured out his heart to Him.

Remembering

In verses 2 and 6 David recalls not only what God can do, but WHO God is as well. He reflected on God's power or works that he had already be witness to, but also God's glorious character. In verse 6 David used a powerful tool that can help any believer! It often seems night is the hardest. We worry, fret, and are often spiritually attacked, as we quiet ourselves and our minds wonder. We find it hard to sleep and the more we lay and worry the worse things become in our minds. David made it a practice to remember God, and to meditate or think about Him rather than his fears. Corrie ten Boom is known for saying, "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." Isaiah 26:3 reminds that God gives perfect peace to those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in HIM.

Rejoicing

How can we even think of rejoicing or having any kind of joy in the midst of turmoil? David went back to his source of real joy that is not determined by circumstances as he thought about God's crazy love. Why did he say that he knew His love was better than life? God's love supercedes even life! Romans 8:32-38 shows how the Apostle Paul asked a rhetorical question about this love, how can we doubt a love that has went so far as to give us the sacrifice of Christ? If God would not hold back the best from us so that we might find eternal life, how much more can we trust Him to still be at work and bring about even good things through the pain? He never wastes anything, He has good intentions toward us regardless of where we find ourselves. Paul asked if anything could separate us from this kind of love and then answered that question himself as he lists every thing and situation and concludes that NOTHING can separate us from such devotion from God. This will always leave room to rejoice.

Receiving

David knew he had to receive from God. In verses 8-11 he describes clinging to God but God was the One holding, helping, and fighting the battles. David's job was to stay close; so close that he was nestled under the shadow of God's wings. God was more than capable of taking care of whatever or whoever came against David. God is just, loving, fair, and wise all the time so He alone can do the convicting and judging. David could rest securely as he submitted himself and his future into God's hands. In order to receive we have to turn loose and then take hold of what God is doing or giving.

May this season be about new hope regardless of the challenges you face as you look at what it means to have intimate relationship with God. If you need to know more please contact us and also send in any prayer requests.