MY HIDING PLACE
“Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.” Psalm 32:7
Where do we go when we feel overwhelmed, when life’s pressures seem to be more than we can handle? The world has a variety of responses to that question. Some turn to entertainment as an escape from troubles. Others surround themselves with friends and try to hide in the crowd. Still others rely upon strong drink, illegal drugs, or medication to help them cope with life’s hardships. However, when the noise fades and the friends are gone, the problems remain. There is a better solution. The psalmist said, “Thou art my hiding place.” God is our hiding place. He would have us turn to Him in times of trouble and find His protection to be real.
One of the reasons we all love the Psalms is because the writer spoke of personal trials and fears. In his difficulties, he trusted in the Lord for his help and protection. Slowly read the following verses and notice the examples of his “hiding place.” “The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble” (Psalm 9:9). “For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock” (Psalm 27:5). “Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings” (Psalm 17:8). He knew where to go when his world seemed to come crashing in on him.
God is our Protector. In the Old Testament, He ordered the establishment of cities of refuge for people to flee to for protection. Our refuge is not in a city or a geographic location. He is our Refuge. The world may not understand us, friends may forsake us, and Satan will certainly oppose us. There is a place where we can find rest and refuge. We cannot run away from our problems, or escape all adversities, but we can flee to the one who comforts and preserves us in them. He is our “hiding place.”
In times of trouble, we run to Him. When we are afraid, we hide in Him. When we feel guilty and the accuser of our souls reminds us of our failure, we have a “hiding place.” The songwriter said it this way: “There is a place of quiet rest, Near to the heart of God, A place where sin cannot molest, Near to the heart of God.” Let our troubles drive us to the safest and surest place, and may He always be MY HIDING PLACE.