Glimpse of Grace
by Mandy Hinkle
A Note of encouragement…
“Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.” Psalm 57:8-11
I am excited to share with you some thoughts about this beautiful Psalm. If you have the time, I would encourage you to read the whole chapter, but this, I think, is the most powerful part of David’s prayer.
To put us into context, David is running from King Saul yet again. Scholars think that this is either from 1 Samuel 22 or 24. In chapter 22, David escapes to a cave called Adullam and he had about 400 men with him. He then goes to Moab and finds refuge in a stronghold there. In chapter 24, David had fled to the Desert of En Gedi and King Saul pursued him, at some point of the journey Saul went into a cave to relieve himself, but little did he know, David and his men were in the same cave hiding! His men encouraged him to kill Saul, but David cut his robe. After, David felt super guilty because he was not the one to enact judgement onto Saul- that’s God’s job! After Saul leaves the cave, David calls out to him and says, “See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life.” (1 Sam 24:11). However despite being in the right, he leaves judgement in God’s hands. Saul confesses he was in the wrong, but not too long after, the rat race begins again.
Back to David’s psalm, I think both potential contexts reveal similar thoughts and examples David portrays of Godly attitudes. In both stories, David is in some sort of danger and running from Saul, who wants to kill him. Yet, his attitude in this prayer to God proclaims confidence in the Lord’s provisions. Despite being in danger, he reacts with praises to the Lord. Also, David thanks the Lord for his “steadfast love;” the Greek word is “hesed.” “Hesed” is a special word used many times in the psalms specifically describing the Lord’s loyal love. This is the unconditional love the Lord pours on us despite our millions of failures, our cutting tongues, our deceptive and manipulative actions towards others created in His image, our ungrateful attitude toward His countless blessings, and our never-ending list of sins. Yet He still LOVES! David praises the Lord even though he is in danger and it brings him an unearthly joy that makes him sing with the harp and lyre in a crappy circumstance.
So, in conclusion I am reminded by this psalm to have confidence in the Lord and His promise to provide and keep me safe. Also, I am reminded to praise and thank the Lord for His “hesed”- loyal, steadfast love that is always overpouring into my life. I admit these are hard things to remember as I am hearing my 22 month old whine endlessly and my patience is running thin, or as I am dealing with difficult extended family members who make me want to pull my hair out, or as I am completely exhausted with pregnancy fatigue. Pray with confidence in the Lord and praise Him for loving us! Amen!
Mandy Hinkle, COTA/L. She is a regular writer for Leaders of Faith. She loves serving Jesus and is committed to learning more about Him. She and her husband Colten attend Grace Baptist Church of Millersville. They have one son. She is also the daughter of Rob Fields.