Girlfriends in God - Oct. 16, 2007

 

October 16, 2007

“My Hiding Place

Gwen Smith

 

 

 

Today’s Truth

“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7

 

Friend to Friend

My paternal ancestors came to America from Europe in the 1700s, and settled just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Hanging upon the wall of my parent’s house is a faded-with-time, framed land survey bearing William Penn’s signature. The survey was for 500 acres of land that had been purchased before the Declaration of Independence was even signed across the keystone state. My parents still own 90 acres of that wooded farmland.

 

I grew up in a red brick century home that was built by my great-great-great-something-or-other back in the year 1830. The same house my father grew up in. And his father…and so on. It’s a very cool house. It was a very cool place to grow up.

 

My siblings and I played on acres of wide-open spaces and hid in great hiding places. You see there was also an old barn at our disposal. A virtual kid’s recreational candy shop. That barn was our exclusive clubhouse and our neighborhood basketball court. It was also the perfect place to hide.

 

When I needed to get away from my older brother, older sister, younger brother or younger sister, my destination was often the barn. It was a quiet place (except for the occasional moos of my uncle’s cows). I could think there. It was a safe shelter. My personal place of rest and refuge.

 

In Psalm 32, David said the LORD was his hiding place in times of trouble.

 

“Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD" and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely, when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:5-7).

 

I no longer have a barn. And even if I did, my hiding place has changed forms. It is no longer a physical place, but a spiritual place. It is no longer a where, but a Whom.

The LORD is my hiding place now. He is dangerously holy, yet safe and approachable when we come to Him with humbled hearts. He is a Strong Tower. A Shelter in our time of trouble.

 

Got any troubles? Are you breathing?? J Let’s face it, each of us have troubles. The good news is we don’t need to bear the weight of our burdens alone. We have a sacred, secure shelter to which we can run. A hiding place. A loving God who will protect us and then sing us a song of deliverance. Run to the safe hiding place of Jesus today.

 

Let’s Pray

Heavenly Father, Thanks for welcoming me into Your presence. I know this ground is holy, so I ask that You would please forgive me of my sins. (Pause for a moment of confession here.) You know my troubles. I need shelter. I come to sit at your feet right now and hide in your holiness. Speak to my heart, Lord. Would you please instruct and teach me the way I should go?

 

Now It’s Your Turn

What trouble are you facing today? Have you experienced the safety of God’s shelter in the past?

 

Read Psalm 31 and 32 (It won’t take too long…you can do it.)

 

The final verse of Psalm 32 says, “Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!” (V11) It’s time to sing, girlfriend. Take your pick…an upbeat praise song or a quiet worship song.

 

More from the Girlfriends

I invite you right now to a sacred response. Turn up your volume and CLICK HERE to worship with me as I sing that beautiful chorus of long ago, “You Are My Hiding Place.” (Once you click to my MySpace, close your eyes and yield your heart to GOD as you seek His refuge.) Blessings, friend.

The song “You Are My Hiding Place,” is featured on Gwen’s Through All Generations CD. Order a copy today!

 

 

Girlfriends in God

P.O. Box 725

Matthews, NC 28106

info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

 

 

Click here to learn more about hosting a Girlfriends in God conference in your area.

Originally published Tuesday, 16 October 2007.

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