Hiding Place

                “You are my hiding place.  You always fill my life with songs of deliverance.  Whenever I am afraid I will trust in You.  Let the weak say, ‘I am strong in the strength of the Lord.’ “

                These are the words of a song.  They are based on one of David’s psalms.  Men should not sing this song (I cannot sing so I am O.K. there), nor should we (men) say those words (oops, I am guilty here).  Men are not supposed to be afraid and are not supposed to look for hiding places.  Men should stand and face the challenge, and defeat it.  We are never afraid.  We never ask for help.

                And yet, David the king penned these words, “Thou art my hiding place; Thou shalt preserve me from trouble; Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.” Psa. 32:7.  David, as a lad, killed Goliath the giant.  David fought in many battles for King Saul.  David fought in many battles after becoming king himself.  Was such a man as he needing a hiding place?  Was he ever afraid?  Was Psalms 32 just one isolated incident in David’s life?  A quick glance at a few other of David’s psalms might tell us something:

“The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.” Psa. 9:9.

“Preserve me, O God, for in Thee do I put my trust.” Psa. 16:1.

“Keep me as the apple of the eye.  Hide me under the shadow of Thy wings.”  Psa. 17:8.

“I will call upon the LORD, Who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from mine enemies.”  Psa. 18:3.

“For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock.”  Psa. 27:5.

                Hmmmm!  So, David looked at God as a refuge (hiding place) in time of trouble.  David trusted that God would preserve him.  David wanted God to protect him, shield him under His wings.  This is a reference to the way some birds shield their chicks from danger.  David trusted that God would save him from his enemies.  David trusted, and experienced God taking him to His secret pavilion in times of trouble.  Maybe, just maybe, that is the reason David could be strong and brave.  Maybe David understood that God was his true strength and source of courage.

                Maybe I can sing the song.  Maybe I can say the words.  I can trust that God’s strength is powerfully demonstrated in my weaknesses.  I can remember the scripture that declares I can do all things through Christ, Who gives me strength.

                God, I thank You for giving me that hiding place.  Thanks for the deliverance.  Thanks that I cannot only say, but can also experience the fact that I am strong in the strength of my God.