There are difficulties that many faithful students of the Bible face today, especially in countries such as the USA where there are powerful movements trying to deny and abolish belief in the Deity and to establish unacceptable practices. Perhaps this can be said of many cities that still retain Christian communities, some of which can be numbered in the thousands and even the millions. Does the Bible give these people the hope of their prayers being heard? The Psalms and other prophecies, such as Isaiah, can give assurance and comfort to those who have confidence in the God of Israel.
When there was a so-called “insurrection” on the 6th January in the USA, when the gun shot reverberated around the world, Trump gave a strong direction to his followers, who had come to plead with Congress to address the validity of the election results, to go home, be safe and be sure to stock up on food, water and other necessities. He assured them that he loved them, “but to go home,” which was an important warning of what he saw as the dangers he felt would be directed against his followers, who at every rally had behaved in every way peaceably. Home is a place where we associate safety, shelter and protection from harm and danger.
There are Biblical precedents to this form of advice. Y’shua advised his disciples to flee the cities where they met with persecution.
But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. (Matthew 10:23 KJV)
The Jews were warned that after they had been scattered and then regathered from the nations and brought back to their Homeland, Israel, (1948), and Jerusalem freed from gentile rule (1967) there would follow a time of trouble not only for Israel, but for all nations. The Jews were told that at that time they were to flee from Jerusalem to the mountains. We are living in the era when the Jews have been allowed to return to their homeland once again as a nation, but they are still threatened by their adversaries.
When ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judæa flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. (Luke 21:20-21 ) (Ezekiel 38:8)
The disciples asked Y’shua what would be the sign of his coming and he warned them:
As he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:1-8 KJV)
The same advice and description of a time of trouble is also recorded in Matthew and is equally applicable to the Roman invasion of Israel AD 70 during the life time of the disciples . In these times of trouble the people are told to flee to the mountains.
Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Matthew 24:16-24 )
David wrote of the time when he fled from Saul in the cave. He described his trust and faith in the mercy of the God of Israel, who was his refuge and protector.
Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. (Psalms 57:1-2 KJV)
In Mount Zion, and in the dwelling places in the wanderings and experiences of the Jews, Yahweh would be a guardian and protector of his people, as recorded in Isaiah. We have here the refuge and the protection and mercy of Yahweh had towards his people.
And Yahweh will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain. (Isaiah 4:1-6 KJV)
Some nations would become protectors, a “covert “ and eventually there would arise a King, descended from King David who would be established to rule in righteousness and save his people from oppression and extortion.
Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land. And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness. (Isaiah 16:4-5 KJV)
Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment. And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken. (Isaiah 32:1-3 KJV)
This concept of refuge from trouble and evil enemies occurs many times in the Psalms and presents the view of the overshadowing of wings, as a bird does over its young to protect them from preditors. In the images presented there is the trust that is needed in the heart of those who cry out for help. Then there is love and mercy extended with the protective wings or covert.
Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, (Psalms 17:7-8 KJV)
David prayed when he was moved by his experiences in the wilderness of Judah:
When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. (Psalms 63:6-8 KJV)
A prayer of David and a heartfelt expression of his trust and thankfulness is seen in Psalm 61.
For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah. (Psalms 61:3-4 [KJV]
David declares his dedication to the congregation and his pleasure in doing Yahweh’s will:
I waited patiently for Yahweh; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in Yahweh Blessed is that man that maketh Yahweh his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. (Psalms 40:1-4 [KJV])
I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Yahweh, thou knowest. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Yahweh. Psalm 40:8-10.
Today, possibly more than at any time in our experience, we need Psalm 67 to give us hope when our freedoms to worship the Creator and sustainer of life are being eroded by or threatened by leaders.
There is then a song of praise and hope for the nations “that thy way may be known upon the earth. This is the ultimate reason for creation on the earth.
That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him. (Psalms 67: 2-4 and 6-7 KJV)
Paul’s advice to Timothy is applicable today, as we see how rapidlly a nation’s position can be changed. Faith, trust, prayer and belief in Yahweh’s power are needed to those who seek the covert of the overshadowing wings.
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (I Timothy 2:1-4 )
Consider Paul’s experience in Corinth when he is told that the Lord has “much people in this city.”
Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.(Acts 18:9-10 )
Trump gave his followers advice that would shelter and protect them from his adversaries, and, would ultimately bring hope to those cities where Yahweh may yet have much people.
