“Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.”
(Psalm 57:1 NIV)
This psalm was written by David during a time when his life was constantly in danger. King Saul was reigning over Israel, but God had already chosen David to succeed him. At the same time, David was more successful than Saul both politically and militarily, which only fueled the king’s jealousy and anger. Saul was determined to eliminate this threat. As a result, David was continually on the run. He hid in caves in the wilderness, sometimes sought refuge in neighboring countries, but nowhere did he find real safety.
Against that background, David cried out to God: “I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings” (Psalm 57:1 NIV). Just as a little chick finds shelter beneath its mother’s wings, so David sought protection from the Lord. Only with Him did he find a truly safe refuge.
Centuries later, the Lord Jesus used the same image. He was grieved because many of the Jews had rejected Him. He knew that great calamities would come upon them, and He longed to protect them from what lay ahead. “How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” (Matthew 23:37 NIV)
What a striking contrast. David found safety with God, but many of the people in Jesus’ day rejected that source of refuge. What about you?