PSALM 61 ~ 1 MARCH 2008

By David

God Is Your Shelter

“I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings” Psalm 61:4

David, in this Psalm, as in many others, begins with prayers and tears, but ends with songs of praise. Psalm 61 is likely to be written soon after David lost his son, Absalom. Absalom plotted against his father’s throne but his plot failed and he died - 2 Samuel 18:9-15.

Once again, David was deeply distressed and he was shaken. As he prays to God, he was being reminded of what God has been for him, a strong refuge and tower. And he began to long for God’s presence –where there is security and peace.

We can make one observation of David’s prayer to the Lord through Psalms. Quite often, the prayer would start with a depressing or down mood and as David calls onto the Lord and began to proclaim the character of God, his mood changes. Changed from outcast and dejected to being hopeful and confident in the Lord.

Application:
It is perfectly ok to acknowledge how we feel when things aren’t going well. While doing so, we should not allow ourselves to stop there. Most of the time, David did not stop at his depression or discouragement. He would go beyond the feelings of the circumstances to praise God and to declare God’s goodness. There is power in the person God. Learn to profess the character of God everyday, especially when you are facing challenges. Come under His shelter.