Hiding place, Preserver, Song of Deliverance
Psalms 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
Introduction
There were times when I was young that when I’m facing troubles and difficulties in life, I wish I have a place to go and hide. I honestly think that most of us do want to have a place of refuge where we will be out of any bad situation. A place of protection, safety, joy, and trouble free life. David in this psalm indeed found a place, not a literal place but a person, God. For us it’s all about Christ who is our hiding place, preserver, and in whom we can rejoice with songs of deliverance.
I. Hiding Place – what kind of hiding place?
A. Christ is a Safe Hiding Place (Isa. 32:2, Psa. 31:20).
1. A covert from the tempest (Isa. 32:2) – a covering from the storms of life. As we live we will experience sickness, loss of love one, financial problems, disappointments, failures, disobedient child, marital problem, and all other things which would cause us sorrow. Jesus is symbolically is our hiding place, He is always ready to help us in time of need. What are the storms in your life now? Tell it to Jesus and let Him be your hiding place.
2. Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man (Psa. 31:20a) – pride here means snares, league, and conspiracy of men. The idea is, that when the wicked form a conspiracy, or enter into a league against the righteous, God will take them, as it were, into His own immediate presence, and will protect them.
3. Thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues (Psa. 31:20b) – In God’s dwelling-place, God would guard the righteous from the reproaches of evil man, or their efforts to ruin the believer by slander.
Note the three “froms” in these verses showing situation where the Lord saves. Storms of life, conspiracy of evil men, and protection from slander or bad words which would include back biting, gossips, murmuring, and all sort of lies which would destroy one’s reputation and testimony. For me, this is already a perfect place and none other can give us such a refuge but Christ alone. Christ, is a hiding place from sin, Satan, and sorrow, in death and at judgment.
B. Christ is a Sure Hiding Place (Psa. 27:5).
1. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion – in time of trouble – When we are surrounded by dangers, or when affliction comes upon us, He shall protect us, safe from all who want to do evil or harm to us.
2. In the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me – In God’s own place, His dwelling place, He would take us there, and secure us.
3. He shall set me up upon a rock. A place where we would be above and out of the reach of our enemies; Jesus Christ is comparable to a rock for its height, He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, for shelter and safety, a strong tower, a place of defence, and rock of refuge; and for firmness, solidity, and strength. Those who are set up upon him are in the safest and secure state imaginable.
Again we see the word “shall” mentioned three times. There is no uncertainty here. When you are in Christ, everything he promised will surely come to pass. He will fulfil them all, if not in this life, in the life to come. Christ is our safe and sure hiding place. For those people who have no personal relationship with Christ, why don’t you try Him now and experience His promises and blessings.
II. Preserver – Jesus Christ preserves us.
A. The word preserve here means to guard or to protect
1. This does not tell that we will never experience trials in life
2. Troubles shall do us no real harm when the Lord is with us, rather it shall bring us much benefit.
3. Troubles which comes from guilt; sadness and sorrow in the remembrance of sin; Jesus also will remove so you will experience real peace.
4. Preservation is the main idea in the promise of Jesus that no one can “pluck” them out of His hand. Jn. 10:27-30.
5. His sure protection is “once you are saved, you are saved forever”
6. I would include here also physical protection from danger that is caused by our enemies. A very good illustration is written below.
Lorrie Anderson, missionary to the head-shrinking Candoshi Shapra Indians of Peru, was looking for a quiet place for her daily time of Bible reading and prayer, so she went down by the edge of the river. After reading the Bible, she took up her prayer list. Eyes closed, she did not see the deadly anaconda weaving through the water until it struck, burying its fangs into her flesh. It withdrew to strike, hitting her arm again and again as it held her, screaming, in its coils. It reared up for the death blows. Then suddenly the giant snake, never known to release its prey, relaxed its grip and slithered off through the water. While Lorrie was being treated, a witch doctor from a nearby village burst into the hut and stared at her. She couldn’t believe Lorrie had survived. She said her son-in-law, also a witch doctor, had chanted to the spirit of the anaconda that morning and sent it to kill the young missionary. “I’m certain,” Lorrie said, “that except for the protection of God, it would have worked.”
III. Song of deliverance.
A. Song is the natural language of our feelings
B. The Christian’s most thankful praise is praise for deliverance.
C. God gives us abundant reason for praise and thankfulness; an opportunity of attending him with songs of praise for deliverance out of the hands of our enemies, and from all troubles.
D. We are exhorted to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in Eph. 5:19, and Col. 3:16
E. It’s a tragedy now that churches sing contemporary music which speak little or nothing about God and what He has done but rather just emotional songs and for the person’s entertainment.
F. We should be careful in choosing what song we will be singing.
G. GBBC is committed to singing old fashioned hymnals, psalms, and spiritual songs only, no contemporary music which any person can sing regardless of his religious affiliation.
H. Do you sing to the Lord? If you do what type of song?
J. S. Bach said, “All music should have no other end and aim than the glory of God and the soul’s refreshment; where this is not remembered there is no real music but only a devilish hubbub.” He headed his compositions: “J. J.” “Jesus Juva” which means “Jesus help me.” He ended them “S.D.G.” “Soli Dei gratia” which means “To God alone the praise.”
Martin Luther said, “The devil takes flight at the sound of music, just as he does at the words of theology, and for this reason the prophets always combined theology and music, the teaching of truth and the chanting of Psalms and hymns.” “After theology, I give the highest place and greatest honour to music.”
Contemporary music has crept in most churches and is being used by Satan as a means to have a one world religion.
IV. Conclusion:
The Lord Jesus Christ is our safe and sure hiding place, preserver, who is our source of rejoicing by giving us abundant reason to sing songs of deliverance. We owe Him everything. If you haven’t put your trust in Him now is the time. Tomorrow maybe too late.
