Hiding place
by Ruth Olsen
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You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance (Psalm 32:7).
Read Psalm 32
Last year, I read the 35th-anniversary edition of The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom with Elizabeth and John Sherrill. I had read it years ago, and the ‘repackaged’ edition (published in 2006 for a new generation of readers) was a great refresher.
Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch watchmaker who became a heroine of the Resistance, together with her family, risking their lives to help Jews and underground workers escape from the Nazis during World War II. After her arrest, in the squalor of the concentration camp, she discovered the Lord to be her ‘hiding place’, helping her deal with the daily massive challenges.
Unlike her sister Betsy, Corrie survived Hitler’s concentration camps and later became one of the most remarkable evangelists of the 20th century. Any reader will be encouraged that no matter the pit, God’s love is deeper still.
The psalmist David wrote of the difference repentance and receiving God’s forgiveness can make. While resisting acknowledging his sin, his health and energy drained away because of God’s hand heavy upon him. That was actually God’s mercy, to bring David to surrender his pride and acknowledge his sin. Have you ever experienced that? I know I have!
After David has confessed and received the Lord’s forgiveness, he is free again to speak of the blessings of walking with the Lord, free to sing of the Lord being his hiding place and refuge. He knows afresh the Lord’s counsel. He urges the reader to recognise the woes of stubbornness but the unfailing love of the Lord to those who trust him. We can know these things in our heads and our thinking, but only as we apply them do peace and cleansing of forgiveness become real for us (speaking from experience!).
What is the Lord saying to you through this psalm?
Father, thank you for meeting us where we are at, no matter our situation. Lead us by your Spirit to discover afresh you as our ‘hiding place’ – the place of acceptance and profound love. We bless you, in Jesus’ name!
Ruth lives in Adelaide with Steen, her husband of more than 50 years. Her autoimmune disorder is now under control, although kidney dialysis is currently a requirement three times a week. That swallows much time, yet the Lord is with her in the challenges. He is always faithful!
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