A Large Place!

In Psalm 31 we find David, as with many of the Psalms he wrote, crying out to God for help and then acknowledging God's help and His goodness. He begins this Psalm by saying, " In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge" (v1). He makes a clear declaration that he has chosen to hide his life in God. Paul makes the same declaration when he says, "For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3.3).

As David goes on in Psalm 31 he appeals to God to be his "rock of strength" and his "stronghold". Right on the heels of this request, David turns around and declares to God, "You are my rock and my fortress" (v3). David was a master at appealing to God and then turning those appeals around into declarations of truth.

In verse 7 David acknowledges that God has seen his "affliction" and knows what "troubles" his soul is experiencing. Out of this understanding of God he makes a declaration of thanksgiving … " I will rejoice and be glad in Your lovingkindness … You have set my feet in a large place" (v 7-8). Even from his difficult place David could declare before God, "You have set my feet in a large place."

As with David, I thank God that His heart and desire is to "set my feet in a large place." This speaks to me of His deliverance from, or empowerment in, whatever situation I find myself. A large place speaks of a broad and roomy place. It speaks of comfort, safety, and freedom.

David goes on in this Psalm to explain his current distress to the Lord, and then He says, "My times are in Your hand" (v15). This is again an important declaration that David makes. Regardless of his situation, His life is in God's hands. He may not understand fully everything that is happening in his life, or why, but He knows God sees his situation, and that every aspect of His life is in God's care.

As David goes on, in the middle of his current plight he declares, "How great is Your goodness". Despite his circumstances he acknowledges that God is a good God. He is acknowledging what James would declare many years later, "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow" (James 1.17). God is a good God who never changes.

David concludes this Psalm with the following statement … "O love the LORD, all you His godly ones! The LORD preserves the faithful … Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the LORD" (v23-24).

We do serve a God who "preserves the faithful". If you take "hope in the Lord", as David exhorts us, then you can "be strong and let your heart take courage". Regardless of how difficult your situation might be constantly remind yourself that …

God has set your feet in a large place,
Your times and life are in His hands,
His goodness is great towards you, and
God preserves the faithful.

Step into your "large place" today!