Psalm 33:1-11 In a world that is falling apart, we need a place of security. Earlier we spoke of such a place—the pavilion in the presence of the Lord where we can hide from the strife of tongues. If you have ever experienced an earthquake or a tornado, you have an understanding of how your life depends upon where you place yourself. If you are in an earthquake, you are to brace yourself in a doorway. If you are in a tornado, you are to go to your basement or storm cellar.
The Scriptures predict that everything that can be shaken will be shaken in the last days. We just got through an unpredictable time when some feared many things in our lives would temporarily be shaken or changed because of Y2K. Thank God, no major interruptions to our lives occurred, but many people, even Christians, were in a panic-survival mode. There is a place of security in which we can place ourselves, and this place will withstand every storm, every earthquake and every economic disaster. It is a place that will not be shaken today no matter what our circumstances are, and it will not be shaken in the future. This place will stand forever.
This place is the Father’s heart. We can only reach this place if we surrender all to Him. When we trust in the Lord with all of our heart and refuse to lean on this world’s system or any arm of flesh, we have completed our journey to the safe place—the Father’s heart.
God’s heart is ever turned to us, but unless we seek Him with all of our hearts, we will not experience the safe place of His presence. In His presence is fullness of joy even in the midst of grievous times. In His presence is peace that passes our understanding even when confusion seems to be reigning in the world. In His presence is comfort as well as victory in troubled times. This psalm clearly tells us what will stand forever: “The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations” (v. 11).
God’s Word and the plans (or thoughts) of His heart will stand forever. Do you know that the Word tells us that His thoughts toward us outnumber the sands on the seashore? God is not surprised by anything we may face in the future. He has already gone ahead of us and provided a way of escape; a safe place in the midst of troubled times. After all, as this psalm says, “He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast” (v. 9). As we stand fast on His Word and are still in His presence, the earth can tremble, the storms can come, but we also will be able to stand forever.
Lord, help me not to fear evil tidings. Help me instead to place myself daily in Your presence. In Your Presence is where I belong for the rest of my days here on earth and also into eternity. Thank You for this safe place.
READ: Nehemiah 5:14-7:60; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Psalm 33:1-11; Proverbs 21:8-10
