The Shadow of Your Wings

May 31

(Psalm 57:1-6 NIV) “For the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." Of David. A miktam. When he had fled from Saul into the cave. {1} Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. {2} I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me. {3} He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me; Selah God sends his love and his faithfulness. {4} I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts-- men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. {5} Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. {6} They spread a net for my feet-- I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path-- but they have fallen into it themselves.”

The NIV Bible says David wrote this song called “Do Not Destroy” while he was in great distress. We don’t usually think of David as a fearful man. After all, he killed lions and giants with nothing but a slingshot. But one does not run and hide in caves if they are not afraid. His enemies were well-armed and like “ravenous beasts”. We also see here why David would become a great king. As he is hiding, he is praying and singing praise to God. He is “bowed down in distress”, but sings of God’s mercy, love, and faithfulness. In faith, David believes God has a purpose for him that is yet unfulfilled. He asks the Lord to rebuke those who pursue him and they are eventually destroyed by their own devices. David’s lyrics speak of taking refuge in the shadow of God’s wings. Is that where you are today? When you are afraid, what kind of song do you sing? We all need a song like “Do Not Destroy”. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day