Jul 29th, 2023:
You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word. Ps 119:114
The psalmist uses the two beautiful metaphors to describe our ever-present help- God. Hiding place denotes a place of refuge, retreat, or safety. And a shield is a protection from danger, and a defensive weapon. We can rely and trust in God to be our refuge and strength, and we can depend on him to provide us safety and security.
We need a place where we can hide from the calamities of life. Just like a nuclear bunker saves people from immediate destruction where everyone around (above) is consumed, we have a hiding place/bunker in God. We can hide from God’s wrath (by appealing to his mercy and deliverance), Satan’s attacks, various temptations, men’s schemes, and many other troubles. Scripture tells us of many different hiding places that God graciously provides to us- in his house, in his dwelling, in his presence, under the shadow of his wings, and in Him! We see the closer we are to him, the safer we are!
Just like a shield, God can save us from the fiery darts. A person’s life is saved by a shield. In the same way our character, righteousness, hope and qualities like love, grace, kindness, etc. are saved by God. In the times of evil, our faith becomes a shield to us, and protects us from every enemy in all directions. We cannot hope for a better defensive weapon that God himself! He is the help that we need, and we can call upon him on the day of trouble.
In dangerous times, we can hope in his word. We can trust and confide in God, putting all our confidence and faith on him. And his words are a lamp to our feet, and a light to our paths, showing us the way out.