LEARNING DAILY

Psalm 57:1, 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.

Pastor Jonathon Moore of NorthRock Church began a new series this weekend with Psalm 57. “The power of a song is an expression of worship to God”, began Pastor Moore. He continued, “Singing is an integral part of entering God’s presence by getting people out of the stuff they came to church with; we can’t allow drama we might be facing to prevent us from entering into His presence.”

David was facing a situation – he was hiding in a cave as he was being chased by King Saul. In the danger he faced, David prayed for God’s mercy and His protection. Take a moment to read the entire Psalm. Pastor Moore’s first point was “God’s presence is a place of protection”. David wrote, “in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge”; just like a mother bird protects her young during a storm by gathering her young under her wings. Believers are going to face trials and difficult situations. When they do, seek protection and safety and peace in God’s presence. An important way to do that is to worship and pray. Pastor Moore used Psalm 139:12 to remind us that God sees Believers when the “darkness of their situation” begins to close in around them – He is never caught off-guard.

Pastor Moore stated, “David was anointed [to be king] but there was a time before he was appointed [to be king]. The time in between was when God prepared him to do what God wanted him to do.” So, it is with Believers. In the cave, David writes, “I will cry out to God Most High, to God who performs all things for me” (verse 2). Pastor’s second point was, “God’s purpose is the promise of Daivid’s (the believer’s) deliverance”. David is acknowledging the Lord’s absolute power and authority in his life. He recognizes that God is the One who makes things happen, even when those things are not what David wants. Can you relate?

Pastor stated, “God finishes what He starts!” “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” is a reminder from Hebrews 12:2a that Jesus will finish what He starts. David Jeremiah wrote in his notes, “looking means to look away from something and to fix your gaze on the right thing. Christian men and women should look with spiritual eyes beyond their immediate trials to Jesus”. “Whatever our situation is Believers are still in the hands of the author of our salvation” (Pastor Moore). Psalm 57:3 shows David is absolutely confident that God will hear his prayer and keep him safe.

In Psalm 57:5,10 David expresses Pastor Moore’s third point – God’s power is the assurance of his salvation. Once again, the emphasis is on the power of worship and praise. It gets our eyes off of the situation and our focus on our Savior and Lord. David knew he was destined to be king. He might have been fearful because of the situation he found himself in, but he was responding to it by being faithful. He thanked God for His faithful love and expressed his devotion to Him.

May each of us remember to seek our Lord’s presence in every situation we face. Worship and give Him praise for His peace, His protection, and the safety He gives to us as Believers!