Seventy-nine days…
Psalm 27:5
For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion, in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. (N.K.J.V.)
This scripture caught my eye; most likely, because I have one of my notes next to it. It is dated Sunday, September 21, 1997 and says, “This day I hurt, but the Lord will take care of me and hide me in His pavilion.”
I don’t remember that day, so I have no memory of writing those words, but the proof is right there on the page. I actually have an arrow drawn from my note to verse 5. I underlined the entire Psalm but circled the words, “Hide me” and “He shall hide me” within the scripture. Since this was only fourteen months after the death of my stillborn daughter, Courtney, I can envision myself crying out to God on this particular day. July 2, 1996 changed my life forever. I was devastated. Each month that followed the nightmare day when I was forced to bury my baby in a tiny pink casket became harder than the one before. I wasn’t able to conceive, and the pain continued to intensify.
King David wrote Psalm 27. When I think about David, many stories come to mind. However, the largest impression this patriarch made on me was the way he desperately poured his heart out to God. He wasn’t afraid to call on Him; he was confident in God’s ability to provide rescue.
Like David, I have spent many days crying out to the living God. I’m not ashamed of it; I’m better off because of it. There have been several times in my life I have needed “hidden in God’s pavilion,” and I am thankful for the numerous occasions He intervened and rescued me. I’m thankful for a loving God who really does care about my every need and has made Himself available to be my retreat. I run to the secret place, and my heart is filled.
I encourage you to run to the secret place. Allow Him to be your comfort and retreat from the storm. He will lift you high upon a rock.
