Does anyone think it’s interesting how God saves us? God is pictured as “my refuge, a strong fortress to save me” in the Psalms, but Psalm 32 shows a different way of how God delivers us.
“You are my hiding place. You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” (Psalms 32:7).
I might be copying from what I heard my mom say at breakfast, but this verse means two things.
- Trouble is a given. In this world, we will have trouble. Another word in the psalm, “rising waters,” refers to the trouble of armies, being surrounded, or being pressed by outside forces. It appears in Nehemiah, when Israelites attempt to rebuild the temple amidst opposition. Nehemiah is interesting because while the Israelites aren’t perfect, they end up accomplishing God’s work and setting the stage for Jesus to come. But that’s off topic. Whether we’re mocked while we build the temple or speak the truth, we can be sure of this: a) we sin, and b) we’re still doing God’s work. Both can be true at the same time. It’s helpful for me because I’m always questioning–did I speak in anger? Am I prideful or holding back forgiveness and compassion? Should I just stop until I’m sure I have the right motives? But b), God uses imperfect people. Good for us! Facing trouble, we don’t need to fear whether we’re right or not. We only need to fear God. But it does leave us with this: whether right or wrong, there will be trouble.
- God will surround us with songs of deliverance. Taking into account that one of the descriptions in this Psalm is “surrounded by trouble/enemies,” I think it’s awesome that instead of being a wall around us, God this time is surrounding us with songs. As an artist, this is meaningful to me: the protection God uses isn’t just practical but beautiful. He sends his salvation through songs and things that bring us closer to him. Today, I was late to a fingerprinting appointment and stressed about missing it. While I was in the waiting room, I prayed that I wasn’t too late, but before I knew the answer, I heard a song about Jesus. Not expecting to hear it in a fingerprinting office, it encouraged me. I think the hope that song gave me was just as much of God’s deliverance as the receptionist allowing me to continue with my appointment.
How God delivers us may look different than we expect. We know he will save us, but sometimes, salvation can be through a song.
thoughts of a wanderer 