Read: Psalm 143
I hide myself in you. (v. 9 NIV)
Have you ever played the game hide and seek? If so, did you ever hide so well that no one could find you? I believe we all long to be heard and seen, but when life’s troubles become overwhelming the thought of a great hiding place is appealing. When the hurt is intense, hide. When life’s mountains tower in front of us, hide. When our best efforts fail, hide. Hiding may sound good, but it’s not often practical.
By the time David wrote Psalm 143, he had been on the run from Saul for a long time. Seeking refuge had become a way of life to preserve his life. The second half of verse 9 paints a picture for me of David being swallowed up in God’s embrace, perhaps his very presence, to the point that no one can see him hiding there. The beauty of trusting God is that we can hide in him, in plain sight, whenever we need to.
The Psalms are full of reminders of God as our protector. Psalm 17:8, inspired 19th-century preacher turned hymn writer William Cushing to compose the words to “Under His Wings,” the refrain of which says: “Under His wings, under His wings, Who from His love can sever? Under His wings my soul shall abide, Safely abide forever.” And Psalm 46 begins with this, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Praise the Lord for his guidance and care!
As you pray, thank God that you can always take refuge in him.
About the Author
Joy Petroelje serves as the grants manager for a faith-based international nonprofit organization. Aside from work, she enjoys family time, coffee or dinner with friends, writing, reading, and running.
