You Are My Hiding Place

By Haley Mulholland

Psalm 32:7–11

You are my hiding place;
    you will protect me from trouble
    and surround me with songs of deliverance.

 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
 Do not be like the horse or the mule,
    which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
    or they will not come to you.
 Many are the woes of the wicked,
    but the Lord’s unfailing love
    surrounds the one who trusts in him.

Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;
    sing, all you who are upright in heart!

A Safe Space

In uncertain times, it is human nature to search for a hiding place. Whether we are dealing with a pandemic, in the path of a hurricane, or in the midst of a personal struggle, our hearts need something to calm the storm of worry and panic within us. We yearn for the comfort of a safe space and the reassurance that everything is going to be OK.

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“He wants us to have complete trust that in Him, everything will be OK.”

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When I was reading this passage, my mind immediately went to my toddler son. Any time he gets hurt or scared, his instinct is to seek me out. No matter where we are, who else is around, or what we are doing, his eyes quickly scan the room, and he runs directly to me. I never taught him to do this. It is simply his natural response. He runs to me for comfort because I am his safe space — his hiding place.

Why is it that as adults we forget that we still have a parent we can run to? This childlike response is what God desires from us. God wants us to instinctually seek Him out during uncertain times. When trouble comes, He hopes we will immediately run to Him — no matter where we are, who else is around, or what we are doing. He wants us to have complete trust that in Him, everything will be OK. Instead of searching for comfort in the things of this world, God’s desire is to be our hiding place.

God Is With Us

This Psalm reminds us that God is our ever-present, never-changing, hiding place — our steadfast protection in uncertain times. As followers of Christ, we are not immune to trials and trouble, but we do have the guarantee that God is with us every step of the way. No matter what we face, when we put our trust in God, He is ready to surround us with steadfast love. He will lovingly teach us and counsel us so we are prepared to deal with the struggles we will undoubtedly encounter in this life. God offers His protection freely but will not force it upon us. He desires us to choose Him without hesitation. The truth that He is willing to be our hiding place should make us want to sing, rejoice, and be glad! Any other response would woefully fall short.

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“Is running to God your first instinct?”

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Just as my son knows I will always be there with open arms, ready to surround him with my comforting embrace, we can be confident that God is constantly ready to surround us with His love. Isn’t it a humbling thought that the God of the universe is not only willing, but truly desires to be that hiding place for us? That truth is enough to make me want to rejoice and sing!

What or who do you tend to run to in times of trouble? Is running to God your first instinct? Are you being stubborn and resisting God’s teachings or have you leaned into God’s love and counsel? Have you put your complete trust in the Lord and made Him your hiding place?

Allow God to be that safe space for you. Instead of caving into worry and fear, spend time in prayer. Freely accept His instruction and love. Run to God’s outstretched arms and trust that He is enough to protect and sustain you. With Him as your hiding place, you can be confident everything will be OK.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your constant protection, instruction, and love. We are in awe of Your desire to be our comfort in times of trouble and uncertainty. You alone are worthy of all our trust and praise. Give us confidence to seek you when we yearn for comfort and safety. When our hearts need something to calm the storm of worry and panic within us, remind us that You are waiting with open arms to embrace us with Your love. Thank you for being our hiding place. In Jesus’ name, amen.+