Protected by a Shadow

PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:

1        I have a message from God in my heart

    concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:

There is no fear of God

    before their eyes.

2        In their own eyes they flatter themselves

    too much to detect or hate their sin.

3        The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful;

    they fail to act wisely or do good.

4        Even on their beds they plot evil;

    they commit themselves to a sinful course

    and do not reject what is wrong.

5        Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens,

    your faithfulness to the skies.

6        Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,

    your justice like the great deep.

    You, LORD, preserve both people and animals.

7        How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!

    People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

8        They feast on the abundance of your house;

    you give them drink from your river of delights.

9        For with you is the fountain of life;

    in your light we see light.

10      Continue your love to those who know you,

    your righteousness to the upright in heart.

11      May the foot of the proud not come against me,

    nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.

12      See how the evildoers lie fallen—

    thrown down, not able to rise! (Psalm 36, NIV)

REFLECTIONS:

When we trust Jesus Christ and live in fellowship with him, we have all we need for life—for joy in the midst of sorrow, for contentment in the midst of hardship, for peace in the midst of trial, for fullness of life in all situations. When we initially trusted Christ, we were born again—we were made complete, whole and new in Christ. When the Holy Spirit came into our life, he came to give us abundance of life in Jesus Christ.

Psalm 36 indicates that when we walk in the Lord and seek to serve him, we have his protection. “How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings” (verse 7). Referencing this verse, I've had folks ask me: Does God really have wings? My reply is usually something akin to: I don't know. I've never seen God. Besides, isn't that sort of missing the point? The primary point of this verse is that God keeps us safe! In this verse, I believe David is speaking specifically about the tabernacle, about the wings of the cherubim in the Holy of Holies. Remember: The tabernacle was the dwelling place of God. It was the symbol that constantly stood as a reminder to Israel that God was in their midst. And when God is in the midst of his beloved people, he provides protection. When we live in the Holy of Holies, in fellowship with God and under his wings, we have his protection!

In verse 8 David changes the picture. He says we have God’s satisfaction: “They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of delights.” Our Lord not only protects us but also provides for our every need and satisfies the desires of our heart. A river constantly flows, yet it’s always the same. God is always the same, yet, he constantly wants to bring new blessings to us. A river is known for its power and abundance, and is God. “For with you is the fountain of life” (verse 9). We don’t drink at the river and get thirsty again. We always have that Fountain of Living Water within us.

Jesus replied: “Everyone who drinks regular ol’ water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14)

Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7:37-38)

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. (Revelation 22:17)

We also have his guidance. “In your light we see light” (verse 9). God's light provides us with wisdom and clarity and insight and discernment. When we need guidance, we can look to the God who loves us with an unfailing love. He delights to direct our steps in the path of life. He delights to give us a heavenly perspective. By his Spirit, he inspires us with heavenly thoughts and enables us to see things—to see life, to see ourselves, to see others, to see situations, to see trials and struggle and hardship—to see all things with the mind of Christ.

What more can you want? In Jesus Christ you have all that you need. Look to him in faith and rejoice in the knowledge that you live under the shadow of his wings.

POINT TO PONDER:

God’s lovingkindness addresses our human weaknesses. Where our weaknesses, fears, doubts, and emotions might betray us or leave us vulnerable, he divinely provides. We have the promise of his continuous care. He protects, satisfies, and guides. Today, be encouraged! Entrust yourself to God’s care and rest under the shadow of his wings. “The Lord delights in those who fear him, who their hope in his unfailing love” (Psalm 147:11).

WHO AM I?

I am Tres Sansom, and I am so excited about having my wife back home! Kate's been in Dallas the last several days at a Mary Kay event. Normally, my mom would have stepped in and helped provide some motherly care. But she's been out of town, too. So… my dad and I have been trying to hold down the fort and care for the children ourselves. In protest, Abigail decided to go on a hunger strike, poop in the bathtub, and strip off her diaper during nap time. Thankfully, Kate returned home last night. I've never been happier to see my wife!!!