Pastor Dave Koop
In Our Father’s Arms
There is a story told about a father and son during one of the bombing raids over England in the Second World War. The father was holding his small son by the hand and running from their house that had been struck by a bomb. In the front yard was a deep shell hole. Seeking shelter as quickly as possible, the father jumped into the hole and held up his arms for his son to follow.
Terrified, yet hearing his father’s voice telling him to jump, the boy replied, “I can’t see you Daddy!”
The father, looking up against the smoked filled sky, tinted red by the burning buildings, called to the silhouette of his son, “But I can see you. Jump!”
The boy jumped, because he trusted his father.
Our faith in God enables us jump into His arms of protection in times of uncertainty. Not because we understand or can see all God is doing, but the fact we are certain God sees us.
In Psalm 27 David gives an exuberant declaration of this kind of faith. I encourage to take the time to look up this Psalm and meditate on it. David starts off by telling us that God is our light and salvation. When we don’t see what is ahead of us, but God does as He is our light. Whom, or what, shall we fear?
Then in verse 5 David talks about being hidden in the secret pavilion or tent of the Lord. This “tent” of the Lord is not a piece of camping equipment or ancient desert dwelling. Rather it means a place to hide or be concealed—a secret place. It is also not a call to make our spiritual lives secretive or private, but it refers to a special one-on-one relationship in the arms of our heavenly Father.
Despite that fact David is facing fears, in verse 6 he declares that he will choose to sing and offer a “sacrifice of joy”. It costs us time and energy to take our minds of the problem and focus on the protection that our Father provides for us, but it is this exercise that helps us have clarity.
We don’t know exactly what kind of storm David is facing, but he feels forsaken even by his parents. It is comforting to know if we are separated from family or if they have forsaken us, God will always take care of us and hold us in His arms. Today there are many who are forced to self-isolate with the restrictions surrounding the Coronavirus. In such times, be assured God is with you and watching over you.
At the end of the Psalm David states he would have despaired or lost hope, had he not known that despite what he heard and saw happening, God would show His goodness to him. In times of trouble it may look like there is little hope, but wait on the Lord and He will give your courage and strength.