Safe Space

You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.

(Psalm 32:7, NKJV)

Safety and security are basic needs of most living things including human beings.  There are plants that upon a touch, will recoil into a ball hiding themselves in self-protection.  We also notice animals like tortoises which go back into their shells when they feel threatened.  Observing these animals and plants, I realize that the instinct of self-preservation is God given.  It is no wonder that we find the same with human beings.  Children when scared of something, will be found hiding in places away from others.  While the space of hiding might not be far from others, the child is seeking a sense of protection and security.  Adults might not always hide in one physical space but when we look at how we respond to threats of different kinds we will acknowledge that we too seek out places of safety. In navigating our daily lives, whether conscious of it or not, we continually desire to find spaces of physical and psychological safety.  We now hear he terminology ‘safe space’ being used to give assurance of non-judgmental environments. 

 Reflecting on the above verse, King David was acknowledging God as His place of hiding. Safety, security and safe spaces all speak to a state of vulnerability, a desire for protection and shelter.  David spoke of God as a hiding place when in trouble and in this place, there is strength and deliverance as only God can give.  The verse gives us a picture of comfort and unconditional acceptance, an intrinsic need in our lives.  Brethren, we live in a world where a lot is happening and at times, the noise around us takes away our peace and strength.  Our verse today reminds us that there  is a place that we can snuggle into, a place of shelter and care.  The bible elsewhere says that the name of the Lord is a strong tower where the righteous run into and they are saved (Proverbs 18:10).  The imagery is the same, a place of safety and security being found in the name of the Lord, our refuge. In times when we need a hiding place, we are to be reminded that our God is that place, He is our refuge, strength and  ever present help (Psalm 46:1).  Brethren, I am encouraged by the reference to present help, we do not need to go to a place when we feel vulnerable and needing shelter, He is always with us and ready to help.  While our minds will run to other places for help, may we be quickened to reach within our hearts where the Holy Spirit dwells, He is always present to pick us up and hide us.  The temptation to look outwards is there and at times we only get frustrated as we seek to control the situations in our own strength, may we be reminded that true and permanent safety is only in the Lord our God. There will be storms of life, fear will come but when we look to the Lord, we will find our strength.  The psalmist said that though the earth be removed and the mountains be carried away, though the waters roar and be troubled, we will not fear when we recognize God as our refuge, strength and present help (Psalm 46:2-3).  An old chorus had the words:  “when the storms of life are before you, keep your eyes upon the Lord”.  Yes, in moments of struggles and vulnerabilities our eyes are to be on our God who will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear, He who always provide a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13).  Our refuge, our shelter, our hiding place, our safe space is in the Lord our God, the creator of heaven and earth.  The old hymn by Martin Luther (1529) comes to mind “A mighty fortress is our God”.  Beloved, our unchanging Father is our help and His word remains sure, may we find our safety in Him alone.

 Thoughts:

Where do you go to when needing safety?

What makes you feel most vulnerable?

How has God hidden you through the years?