Psalm 57

The setting for Psalm 57 is David seeking refuge in a cave while being pursued by King Saul’s army. Part of David was cowering in the corner of the cave, in fear of certain death. Part of David was seeking shelter in the arms of God. The closing lines of the psalm affirm David was vindicated in his trust of God: “I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations. For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth” (Psalm 57:9-11).

As we Seek to make the Life in Christ our Way of Life, how can we apply Psalm 57 to our journey? Was David’s praise of God the result of his favored status? Yes. But, we too have the same favored status: “you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory” (Romans 8:15b-17a). Few of us will ever be pursued by a hostile army. True, but we all are threatened by crime, hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters. Paul does not ignore this truth; “But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering” (Romans 8:17b). Nevertheless, “overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us” (Romans 8:37b).

When I read Psalm 57 I remember the compelling story of Louis Zamperini, as told by Laura Hillenbrand in her best-selling book, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. Adrift in the Pacific Ocean after his airplane crashed, Louis cried out to God much like David’s plea, “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection.” Louie’s prayer also included his promise, which was similar to David’s; “I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations” (Psalm 57:1a, 9). After he was captured, Louis suffered extreme brutality for several years as a POW. He was rescued when the war ended, a few days before his captors had scheduled his execution as a means to hide their atrocities. God did not abandon Louis, and at the age of 95 Louis is still singing God’s praises among the nations.

Choose this day to let David’s story, and Louis’ story, inspire you to always look to God for protection; to always hide beneath the shadow of God’s wings.

Sē’lah

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Reading for June 28, 2012         Psalm 58