Clinging and Being Held
Paula Miles, Guest Writer
TODAY’S TREASURE
“On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadows of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me” (Psalm 63:6-8).
If you are in the wilderness now, what do you do in the watch of the night? If you are like me, that is often when my fears and anxieties overwhelm me, when my questions and doubts arise, and I begin to drown in my grief and sorrow. My forgetfulness begins to be the greatest enemy of my faith. Through the inspiration of the Spirit, David reminds me in this Psalm to remember – to remember God – His steadfast love, constant provision, and the satisfaction and joy only He can give. The LORD “knows when I sit and rise. He discerns my going out and my lying down. He is intimately acquainted with all my ways.” (Psalm 139:2-3) He is there, in the watches of the night.
David’s bed is less than comfortable, literally and figuratively. Perhaps many nights, it was simply the dry and hard ground of the wilderness. I can imagine that at least some of those nights were sleepless, and the loneliness, isolation, and rejection he felt overwhelmed him. He most likely feared for his life and grieved as he experienced the rebellion of his own son. It is here that David says he remembers and thinks of his God, a God who is his help, covering him with His feathers and giving David refuge under His wings. (Psalm 91:4) Because God is his help, David sings and clings to Him. Throughout the Old Testament, God is referred to as the One who offers help or is the Helper of mankind. We see Him as One who defends, supports, protects, and upholds. He sees and cares for the suffering and delivers them from distress. He is a Rescuer and a Comforter. These words are compassionate and relational. They are strong and nurturing. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is called our Helper. In John 14:26, Jesus says, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said.” Did you hear that “bring to your remembrance”? “On my bed, I remember you,” David says. His memory provides him proof of God’s past faithfulness, reminders of His promises, and an ability to move forward with confidence in Him.
Because God is David’s help, he sings in the shadow of His wings. The picture is that of a mother bird protecting her young under her wings. It is there they find refuge, comfort, and shade. The idea of singing or rejoicing in the nearness of his Savior is a recurring theme. Enjoying this nearness now or remembering its protection in the past causes David to cling to Him. He says his soul, the very depth of who he is, clings to God. The word cling means “followeth hard after” and signifies being firmly united with strong affection. David earnestly seeks to tightly hold on to a God who upholds him in His right hand, the strongest of the two hands. Isn’t that beautiful? In our suffering, in our wilderness, we grasp to take hold of Him only to find He is and always has been sustaining us by His righteous right hand. He holds us, and “nothing can snatch us from our Father’s hand” (John 10:29).
“O Love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee” (George Matheson).
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Is forgetfulness the enemy of your faith, particularly in the watches of the night? Ask the Spirit to help you remember God’s promises and faithful provision. “God is your refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1) Rejoice in this and sing as you rest in the shadow of His wings. He shelters you and covers you. Follow hard after Him knowing in full confidence that you are upheld by His right hand. Walk close to Him, assured that nothing can snatch you out of His sovereign and loving hand.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Paula Miles is wife to Kevin and mother of four. Paula has experienced the joy of being both a full-time homemaker and a public school teacher. Studying and teaching God’s Word is her passion, as well as coming alongside women to encourage them to understand their unique design and fulfill their individual callings. Paula is on staff at Clemson Presbyterian as women’s ministry coordinator since 2014, is a conference speaker, and serves on the national women’s ministry team for the PCA as a women’s ministry trainer.
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Originally published Friday, 26 August 2022.
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