I love how this psalm begins. The image of resting safe under the shelter of the Almighty God; protected in his strong fortress while arrows fly and storms rage. There are more wonderful pictures as the psalm goes on – a fragile chick tucked safely beneath the tender wings of a gentle God, a frightened deer being released from a deadly trap; someone saved from a terrible plague that is spreading like wildfire; shielded from terror and anguish even as others around crash and fall. Surely a powerful rescuer who is watching out for us is the most fantastic reassurance in a scary and dangerous world, where we often feel worried or afraid about things going horribly wrong?
We don’t really know who wrote this particular psalm, but whoever it was must have known what it was to be terrified and helpless. Although the writer starts off in verses 1-2 telling us that he trusts the Most High God as his refuge, you sense from the way he writes that he has experienced the kind of terror that some awful disaster could strike at any point of the day or night.
And this is a bit confusing: these wonderful images (verses 3-13) of the many ways God keeps us safe – are they really true if things can still go horribly wrong? Will the Almighty really save us now? Or is this just a reference to one day being safe in eternity? The psalm says that “no disaster will come near your tent”; so how come so many of us who call on God as our refuge still experience disasters invading their lives? We can still feel afraid, and unsafe.
How do we make sense of these wonderful promises of incredible security when in real life we don’t always see God protecting all of his children from harm, pain, mental anguish, or attack?
I wonder if the answer is hinted at in verses 11 and 12. They sound familiar. That’s because they are the verses that the devil quoted to Jesus, as he tried to persuade him to jump off the top of the temple in Jerusalem, to prove God’s salvation in a big showy way. (Luke 4:10-11) The devil wanted Jesus to test God’s promises of protection right then and there, rather than trusting God’s bigger plan.
But Jesus didn’t jump, he didn’t prove anything at that point. He knew that the promises about being lifted up and saved would come later, after he had suffered the worst disaster possible on our behalf. Ultimately, it is because Jesus took on suffering, terror, and death, that the Almighty brings about the rescue and deliverance promised in verses 14-16 for those who love the Lord.
So where does that leave us with the question of whether this safety is for now or later? Firstly, it is a safety for eternity. Because Jesus took on the disasters described in this psalm and then was exalted to heaven, we have sure hope that in the long term, for the rest of forever, we will be rescued, honoured and satisfied (verses 14-16).
And for now? The psalm tells us that the Lord will answer us and will be with us IN our trouble. So clearly there is still going to be trouble around us in this life. Despite that He is still our fortress, He is still trustworthy and stronger than any difficulty we face. He cares for us IN our troubles and nothing can separate us from Him (Romans 8:35-39). He has already rescued those who love Him from death. By His power He will make us triumphant with Jesus over the devil. He will keep sheltering us until we see Him face to face.
Prayer: Almighty Powerful Father God, we want to trust in you more and more. Sometimes we find it hard when we feel scared of all that is wrong or could go wrong. Help us to remember that because Jesus suffered for us, we won’t be punished like the wicked and our lives will not come crashing down. Help us to look to you and know that we don’t need to be afraid of anything on this earth. You will be with us whatever hardship or attack or illness we face. Thank you that You will keep us safe until we are with You forever.
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