"A Contemplation of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave: Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me, for my soul trusteth in Thee; yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be over past." Ps. 57: Title, 1
Sometimes true safety doesn't look much like safety. In all honesty, the "safety" that God promises looks very much like danger. I'm sure David would have felt very safe in a fortified camp surrounded by armed men. Instead, he is scurrying alone in the the dark of a cave with Saul and his men hot on his heels, and it is in that damp and dark emptiness that he is "in the shadow of [God's] wings."
To be truly "safe" means to be with God; all other circumstances and considerations are secondary and thus immaterial. It is amazing how close to the breaking point that God will stress that truth. It is a fascinating paradox that the safest moments are the ones that seem to be the most dangerous. Look at the book of Revelation: things go from bad to worse, and it is at the absolute uttermost of breaking despair that Christ returns and wins the day. Look at the gospels: how many times were the disciples in utter panic before Jesus put all at ease? Often the people of God are in the very midst of slavery, banishment, exile, furnaces, prisons, persecutions, etc., when God brings them forth shining like a golden star. There is a threat buried within the promise of Isaiah 43:2, a threat that God's presence is contingent upon our being in the middle of fires and floods.
And why should such things not be? If God were to keep us safe in the midst of calm and peaceful times and things, what is the good of that? It would be just as if there were no God at all. If, however, we are kept safe in the midst of the chaotic tempest, with its cold waters threatening yet unable to drown us, then we have reason to glorify God. It is precisely when things are at their worst that God is nearest; it is exactly when we are weakest that God is strongest. That is the meaning behind the "weak/strong" paradox of the Christian faith, and we would do well to remember it when the more common darker skies of approaching storms cloud our horizons.
-Jon Vowell
Sometimes true safety doesn't look much like safety. In all honesty, the "safety" that God promises looks very much like danger. I'm sure David would have felt very safe in a fortified camp surrounded by armed men. Instead, he is scurrying alone in the the dark of a cave with Saul and his men hot on his heels, and it is in that damp and dark emptiness that he is "in the shadow of [God's] wings."
To be truly "safe" means to be with God; all other circumstances and considerations are secondary and thus immaterial. It is amazing how close to the breaking point that God will stress that truth. It is a fascinating paradox that the safest moments are the ones that seem to be the most dangerous. Look at the book of Revelation: things go from bad to worse, and it is at the absolute uttermost of breaking despair that Christ returns and wins the day. Look at the gospels: how many times were the disciples in utter panic before Jesus put all at ease? Often the people of God are in the very midst of slavery, banishment, exile, furnaces, prisons, persecutions, etc., when God brings them forth shining like a golden star. There is a threat buried within the promise of Isaiah 43:2, a threat that God's presence is contingent upon our being in the middle of fires and floods.
And why should such things not be? If God were to keep us safe in the midst of calm and peaceful times and things, what is the good of that? It would be just as if there were no God at all. If, however, we are kept safe in the midst of the chaotic tempest, with its cold waters threatening yet unable to drown us, then we have reason to glorify God. It is precisely when things are at their worst that God is nearest; it is exactly when we are weakest that God is strongest. That is the meaning behind the "weak/strong" paradox of the Christian faith, and we would do well to remember it when the more common darker skies of approaching storms cloud our horizons.
-Jon Vowell
No comments:
Post a Comment