Psalm 57:1. A Safe Space

Today’s Verse: Psalm 57:1

Felt Safety

When dealing with children who have experienced trauma, there is a need for the child to feel safe in order for them to trust and attach or bond to their parent or caregiver. Even if the child recognizes they are in a safe environment, they may not feel safe due to the trauma they have been exposed to. So, in caring for these children, the caregiver adjusts the environment and their behaviors in order for the child to feel safe, develop trust, and be able to attach and bond. These caregivers become a shelter or refuge for the child while they heal from the trauma they have been exposed to. The caregiver becomes their safe-space and there, in the shadow of their wings, they find love and safety.

Our Safe-space

There has always been evil in the world, but it seems that with every passing day, more and more evil is exposed. It can leave us feeling unsafe, uncertain, unprotected. There is a sense of trauma as we experience the evil in the world. But there is a place where we can find refuge. We, too, have a safe space. The Psalmist uses an analogy of a bird gathering her young under wings to tell us there is refuge in the shadow of God’s wings.

Imagine the birds under momma’s wings

Imagine for a moment what it is like for the baby birds in their safe-space. Under their mother’s wings, they find shelter from the storm. They find warmth. They are close enough to momma to hear her heartbeat. The baby birds feel the comfort of her embrace. They know she is keeping an eye on any danger that is near and she will defend them. Because under her wings is safety and refuge, they have no need to fear.

David knew calamity

David certainly knew calamity as he battled against King Saul and then throughout his reign, his enemies sought His life. Over and over again throughout the Psalms we see David calling on God for mercy and deliverance, but we also see him placing his trust in God. He knew that God was a place of refuge from all his troubles. He knew that God was his safe space.

A place of refuge

A refuge is place where one can go for protection. It’s a place of safety and shelter from danger or trouble. It’s a place to run to when being pursued. Notice that a refuge does not mean that trouble or danger will never come. Rather, it’s a place where we can seek safety during the danger or trouble.

David sought refuge

We need to also notice from this verse that David sought refuge under the wings of God. The verse does not say that God drew David under His wings. David had to put himself there. In order to do so, he had to place his trust, confidence, and hope in God. This is what placing yourself under God’s wings really means – trusting Him, even when you don’t understand why or when you can’t see God at work.

Consider the following:

Do you trust God when life seems to be falling apart?

Do you trust God when you or a loved one receives a bad medical report?

When you lose your job, do you trust God will take care of you and open another door?

Do you trust God when your marriage seems to be falling apart?

Do you trust God when one bad thing after another just keeps happening?

When there is a financial hardship, do you believe in his promise that He will supply all your needs?

Do you trust God with your children’s lives?

Do you trust God with your biggest hopes and dreams?

Trusting God is an Active Choice on our part

Our faith and trust in God can grow when we make the active choice to trust Him and believe that He is in control of every situation. For each circumstance we face in life, we can choose to do things our own way or God’s way. We can choose to be angry about what we are facing, or trust and believe that God is always good and that He has good plans for us. We can choose to demand our own way or to wait on Him. Or, we can choose to quit and walk away or to keep on believing that His Word is true and that He is faithful to keep His promises.

Trusting God comes down to one thing – it’s always our choice.
–Julia Bruce #trustingGod

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In the Shadow of God’s Wings

Return for just a moment to the image of the baby birds hiding under their mother’s wings. Everything that is true for the baby birds, is true for us when we seek refuge under the wings of God. Under His wings:

We find shelter from the storms of life.

We find warmth in a cold and cruel world.

Under His wings, we can hear the heartbeat of God if we are close to Him

We can feel the comfort of His embrace

If we are under His wings, we can know that God is watching over us and keeping His eye on everything going on around us and in the world.

We have no need to fear when we are under His wings.

Imagine yourself there – under His wing.

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