In Psalm 27:5, we read these words:
“For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.”
(Source: The Holy Bible, New International Version)
Within our mother’s wombs, I believe, the Lord nourishes and protects us making the womb a safe space (i.e., especially when the environment that the mother is in may influence whether or not that space is safe for us). When we leave the womb, we are often swaddled. In the right situations, according an article that I read recently, swaddling is a good thing (Source: Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School, “Children’s Health,” Should you swaddle your baby?; May 24, 2016; Claire McCarthy, MD, Author; www.health.harvard). It can be calming, supportive, even soothing.
Safety is one of our basic needs. When there is a sense of threat, real or imagined, our bodies’ natural defenses kick into high gear. We go into fight or flight mode until that threat is no longer present—perceived or real. Think about the last time you felt threatened. What did you do? How did you react? How did you feel? What was the outcome?
We all need to feel a sense of safety in order to be well—not only for ourselves, but those whom we love, our neighbors, our associates. What affects one can or may affect all, at times. We are interconnected and need each other to be well. There are no shortages, unfortunately, of situations that have shown us that someone is not well. Others have paid an enormous price . . . with their lives.
The psalmist understood this basic need: he said God would hide him, protect and shelter him whenever trouble came. But, sometimes, this does not play out the way we think or imagine it would or should. There are times when we don’t know exactly how God is going to safeguard or protect us. There are things that happen that don’t make sense . . . things that we simply cannot figure out. And we wonder, “What should I do?” We might even wonder where is God—in my situation? Is He with me?
Yet, when we believe the Lord’s promises, I have learned that when we don’t feel God’s presence, during those times, in particular, He is there. He is my SAFE SPACE. He does hide me—sometimes in plain sight. It is that I am IN HIM that gives me the safety and protection that I need. Because the Holy Spirit is at work within me, I can trust Him. In Him, I live and move and have my being (Acts 17:28). This is my blessed assurance . . . that no matter where I go and no matter what happens to me in life (including some of the bad situations that are of my own doing), GOD IS WITH US—ensuring our safety through our complete journey.
The Lord is our covering—in hopelessness, fear, depression; when we are hurting and feeling isolated. As hard as it might be, the Lord is our safe space. This Virtual Prayer Room is a safe space too. In it, may you be swaddled; may you find rest, comfort, peace, healing, and grace. May you know God’s love and safety for you.
Until next time,
Selah . . .