A prayer to the Lord to hide us in his love means he should keep us away from the sight of the enemy and from unpleasant situations or danger in his love. God then covers us with his grace in his love from the enemy’s prying eyes. Such was David’s prayer in Psalms 17: 8,… hide me in the shadow of your wings. In the shadow of God’s wings are all the goodness of life beyond imagination and description.
We ask God to hide us because he has given us the right to ask. Psalms 50: 15 says call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me. God’s promise of deliverance is sealed upon our acceptance of his offer and submission to his authority. Job 22: 30 says he (God) will deliver even those who are guilty, they will escape because of the cleanness of your hands.
God needs clean hands or hearts for him to save the world when we pray. In Proverbs 15: 8; 29 the prayer of the upright (righteous) is his (God) delight. James 5: 6 says the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. The many perishing souls need to be saved in the love of Christ Jesus and it takes the prayers of clean hearts to intercede in prayer for the world. Why do we intercede before God?
God is mighty in power
We pray for safety to the Lord because Proverbs 18: 10 says the name of the LORD is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and are safe. God’s status gives us the confidence and trust in him as capable to deliver on his word of promise. Jeremiah 32: 27 says see, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh, is anything too hard for me? God assured his people in Jeremiah 15: 21 I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.
God is the God of possibility for all who call his name. Jesus said in Matthew 19: 26; Mark 10: 27 for mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible. Paul wrote in Colossians 3: 3 your life is hidden with Christ in God. Paul referred to God in Jude 1: 24 as him who is able to keep you from falling and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing… In whose love are we hiding or seeking shelter?
He is a trustworthy God.
God is faithful and trustworthy. Psalms 100: 5 says for the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Psalms 145: 13 says the LORD is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds. Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians 3: 3, the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. Will we hide in this faithful God?
Deuteronomy 31: 6, 8 says… your LORD your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. God repeated his faithfulness in Joshua 1: 5 ; Hebrews 13: 5. David assured Solomon of God’s faithfulness in 1 Chronicles 28:20 that, he (God) will not fail you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished. David said in Psalms 111: 7, the works of his hands are faithful and just, all his precepts are trustworthy. Trusting God through Christ Jesus is righteousness in God. The Lord is most trustworthy to accomplish our tasks with us because his name is faithful.
He has the ultimate authority
In God is our hiding place because he is the ultimate. Jesus said in Matthew 28: 18 all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. This vests all final authority in all matters in Jesus. Paul wrote in Ephesians 1: 20-23 God put his power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at the right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Jesus is quoted in Romans 14: 11 as I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God. We are privileged to have the name Christ Jesus in which we may be hidden from the enemy. Paul confirmed Jesus’ authority in Philippians 2: 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Who is our final refuge in troubled times?
Why we need Christ Jesus
We live in chaotic times everywhere and we need someone who is the ultimate authority to shield us. We are in a land of gloom and chaos where light is like darkness as described in Job 10: 22. Right is wrong and wrong is right. Evil is good and good is evil, Isaiah 5: 20. We face a confused world where the faithful have disappeared from the land, there is not uprightness but blood and hurt, Micah 7: 2. We however have a hope. 1 Peter 5: 7 says cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.
There is fear and panic globally but we are assured in Isaiah 44: 8, do not fear, or be afraid;… is there any god besides me? There is no other rock; I know not one. We are in a world of destruction with wars within and across nations everywhere just as it is written in Jeremiah 50: 22. God cautioned Israel in Deuteronomy 13: 17, do not let anything devoted to destruction stick to your hand… Sin and iniquity rule the world today because God has been relegated from prominence. The Lord asked in Isaiah 50: 2, is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver?
We are being tested through refining by fire just like silver and gold are tested, Zechariah 13: 9. We need shelter from the chaos and Proverbs 18: 10 says the name of the LORD I a strong tower, the righteous run into it and are safe. This makes it all important to seek Jesus at this time. Luke 19: 10 says the Son of man came to seek out and to save the lost. Out of love Jesus lay down his life for us, John 15: 13. What greater love surpasses this? May we take our rest in Jesus the King before it is too late. Psalms 36: 7 says all people may take refuge in the shadow of your (God) wings. All are invited, are we ready?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, in this world of unending chaos, we need you to be our shelter. You have been the stronghold and defence of those who love you and depend on you throughout the ages. Be our comfort and peace while the storm rages. Calm our troubled breast with your peace so we may testify to your glory and honour of your unfailing love. Hide us in your precious blood in which we pray, Amen!!
0 Comments