Day 73: In the Shadow of His Wings

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Monday, March 14^th, 2016
Numbers 21:1-22:20
Luke 1:26-56
Psalm 57:1-11
Proverbs 11:9-11
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1gt9U28

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by. – Ps 57:1

Refuge is “a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble.”[1]  God promises us that whenever we are surrounded by danger, we can come to Him. There will be times when He calls us stand up and fight. However, in the instances where He calls us to put our weapons away and take refuge, we can ride out every storm in His presence, knowing He will keep us safe from harm.

The Hebrew word for “calamities” is havvah (Strong’s #1942). Havvah can mean impending destruction or doom, as we’ve used it above. However, it can also mean a bad (i.e. unfavorable) desire. This gives us insight as to how to take refuge from sinful desires. Whenever we are faced by lusts of the flesh, God instructs us to take refuge in His presence! When we fix our gaze on the Cross, every other desire fades into the background.

To be under God’s wings means to allow God to gather you to His body: in a position where you are sheltered by His strong right hand (i.e. His miracle-working power), and in close physical and emotional proximity to other strong believers. Whatever you are going through, don’t face it alone. Take refuge at the foot of the Cross – surrounded by brothers and sisters – and let God accomplish “all things” (v 2) for you.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your never-ending love, and ever-reaching care. I know that whenever I’m experiencing a calamity – or suffering from a crippling desire – I can come to you. When I rest in Your presence, I will find the strength I need to make it through.

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-73-sing-it/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-73-let-it-be-to-me/

© Michael D. White, 2016. All rights reserved.