Psalm 57:1 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.
Greetings my faithful Friends in Christ, divinely chosen to awaken to another beautiful day on God’s great earth! For that generosity, let’s offer Him some praise and grateful thanks nuh. ‘Oh Father in heaven, we your unworthy children gratefully thank you for the privilege and honour of experiencing one more brilliant sunrise, and hopefully one more glorious, colourful sunset on this formidable planet earth, which you designed, created and still control. We sincerely praise you and humbly ask that you continue to safely guide and protect us, and fulfill our every need. We pray this in the holy name of your Son Jesus. Amen!’ Oh my Friends in Christ, what extremely lucky people we are to have such a merciful and LOVING Deity looking after us! Those who don’t know and trust Him don’t know what they’re missing; they have no idea of the bountiful and abundant life that they’re passing up. But as I keep saying, Bruh David surely knew which side his bread was buttered on. That’s why he composed this Michtam, this contemplation on his problematic life. The Lord had anointed him king from since his youth, but it didn’t seem as though that would ever happen, for all he seemed to do was run from his many enemies. He’d just escaped from the Philistines in Gath, having run there from Saul, now he’s ensconced in some caves, hiding from Saul again. (1 Sam.22:1) Psalm 57 is a Prayer for Deliverance from his enemies. And because of his absolute faith and trust in the God of his fathers, he was able to cry out in despair at his current problems, but with a heart full of hope: ‘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.’ And Friends, if we think we have calamities now…Hn! They are a joke to what Bruh David suffered. But the beauty of the whole thing my people, is that when problems beset us, we too can cry out in despair to the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. If we sincerely trust and believe in Him, then we can also cry out for mercy and hide under the shadow of His wings. Resting under God’s wings seems to have been a popular term in the Old Testament. Boaz said it to Ruth when he showed her favour in the wheat field. ‘The Lord recompense (repay) thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.’ (Ruth 2:12) Originally, Ruth wasn’t a believer, but a Moabitess who moved to Judah with her mother-in-law Naomi, after all their men folk died. But the Lord must have stirred something deep in her soul, for unlike her sister-in-law, who returned to her own people, Ruth followed Naomi to her Israelite relatives. And Friends, we all know how that story ends up: Ruth became Bruh David’s great grandmother, thus one of Jesus’ fore parents. And who says the Lord doesn’t have well laid plans eh? He made His only Son a descendant of a Jew and a Gentile, so that He could have the proper credentials to bring them together as one, under the umbrella of His Church. Wow! But getting back to the shadow of God’s wings. It certainly appears to be one of Bruh David’s favourite terms and places, for he uses it several times. We’ll just quote a couple here. In Psalm 17; A prayer for protection against oppressors, he fervently pleads: ‘Keep me as the apple (pupil) of the eye; hide me under the shadow of thy wings, From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about (surround me).’ (Ps.17:8-9) Meanwhile, in Psalm 63; God satisfies the thirsting soul, where he was adrift in the wilderness of Judah, he ardently declares: ‘Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.’ (Ps.63:7) Oh my brethren, there’s absolutely no better, safer, more secure, happier, more joyful, more peaceful and more fulfilling place to dwell than under those almighty wings of the Lord God Jehovah! Whatever problems or calamities we’re going through, that’s the proper place to be, to wait them out, for we know that this too shall pass eventually. And if you don’t believe Bruh David and me, then listen to Isaiah. ‘Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.’ (Is.26:20) Yes my people, when we accept the Lord as our God, our shield and protective covering, then can we cry out with all authority and surety, like Bruh David did: ‘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 (snap at or hound me). Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.’ (Ps.57:2-3) And all God’s people shouted: ‘Glory Hallelujah!’ Oh Friends, there are way too many hurting people in this world who don’t know our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ not His heavenly Father, and who are unsuccessfully searching for peace, solace and an end to their problems through man made solutions, when it’s only the Holy Trinity who can help and save them for any long lasting period of time. Let’s rev up our efforts and go out into the evil, violent world full of unfortunates and try and bring them under God’s everlasting wings of LOVE nuh. That’s what our Leader Jesus desires of us. So let’s show ourselves to be His true followers and get a move on with it. He’s depending on us to bring all the unbelievers to Him. And we certainly don’t want to disappoint Jesus now, do we? Much LOVE!…under His wings will I rest…will I take refuge…until all my calamities be past…and even after that…will I yet abide under His wings…
SCRIP-BITS 