Notes on Hope Devotional

Seek & Hide

Psalm 17:8
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.

As children, we can all remember playing the game, “Hide & Seek.”  Finding a good spot to hide was essential to not being seen. The whole purpose was not to be found. I preferred being the one who hid first, rather than seeking out the others who were hiding. Today, I find I want to seek others who are hiding and invite them to be seen.

We all have times of wanting to hide for good reasons: pain being a major one. We hide from others, so they won’t see our weaknesses or faults. We hide from ourselves so we can deny and pretend we are okay when we are really aching inside.

What does hiding look like in a good way? This verse invites us to consider a certain space, “in the shadow of your wings.” The image of hiding in the shadow of wings elicits a sense of safety and protection. The words of Boaz to Ruth, in Ruth chapter 2, echo a similar space, “the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” 

When we are feeling vulnerable, weak, and insecure, we are primed to hide in the place where we are securely attached to the Lord. We are seeking safety. We long for a place where we are taken care of.

The phrase, “Keep me as the apple of your eye,” describes our immense significance and specialness to God. We are not less than or invisible. We are lavishly loved and extravagantly cherished.

Remembering who we are to God propels us to run to hide in His wings, where He holds us, tenderly reminding us of His love. Hiding in the shadow of His wings is where we are protected. Hiding isn’t about running from, but to being found by the One who loves us and longs to protect us.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being our hiding place. Thank You for Your extravagant love. Help us fully and completely receive it, relishing in the security of being “hidden in the shadow of Your wings.”
In Jesus Name, Amen.