Are you hidden IN HIM?

My heart is quite overwhelmed this morning as I have spent time in Psalm 31...just exactly what I needed today on this 31st day of December. GOD is so faithful, and HIS WORD is so tender to my heart. Let's take a look at a few verses and I will share.
Let's start with verses 1, & 3-4
In YOU, O LORD, I have taken refuge; Let me never be ashamed; in YOUR righteousness deliver me. YOU are my rock and my fortress, For YOUR NAME'S sake YOU will lead me and guide me. YOU will pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, for YOU are my strength.
Read it again and hear what the Psalmist was saying to the FATHER. Hear him crying out that he had taken refuge in the ONLY ONE who could help him, and now he is depending on that ONE to deliver him. Hear his heart cry out to the FATHER..."O DON'T LET ME BRING YOU SHAME." Hear him as he begs the ONE who has the power to deliver him to do it FOR THE SAKE OF HIS GREAT NAME. Hear him cry out in total trust of his HEAVENLY FATHER.
Folks, we can do this too. We can trust GOD in the midst of the swirling waters, high waves, and strong winds...HE IS ONE WHO CAN SAY, "PEACE BE STILL" and the wind and the waves will cease. OR, HE is the ONE who can wrap HIS arms around us and can carry us through those swirling waters, high waves, and tempestuously strong winds. But please don't miss the reason why David is saying he is counting on GOD to do this in his life.
It wasn't about David. It was ALL about GOD's GREAT NAME. It was ALL about the righteousness of the ONE TRUE GOD. It was about GOD.
How about you? When you cry out to HIM for deliverance, is it to save your name from shame or is it to save HIS GREAT NAME? Is it about bringing HIM glory or is it about saving face for yourself?
Now look down to verses 7&8. I will rejoice and be glad in YOUR lovingkindness, Because YOU have seen my affliction; YOU have known the troubles of my soul, AND YOU HAVE NOT GIVEN ME OVER INTO THE HAND OF THE ENEMY: YOU have set my feet in a large place.
Our FAITHFUL FATHER knows the trouble and affliction of our every day. HE knows the battles that we fight and the enemies that wage war against us. And because of HIS LOVINGKINDNESS toward us HE reaches down into the muck of our lives and pulls up to SOLID GROUND...HE invites us to stand on the ROCK THAT IS JESUS. WOW! Because HE loves us HE does not allow us to be overtaken by the enemy. BUT, we must be sitting at HIS FEET crying out to HIM asking HIM to deliver us. If we choose to run all ahead full into sin and remain there...HE will allow that, and judgment will come. HE does not pull us out until we cry out and ask for HIS TENDER MERCY. HE will let us choose to remain in the muck and mire of sin, but THAT IS NOT HIS PLAN FOR US. THAT IS NOT HIS DESIRE.
Let's look at verses 19 & 20 and then wrap up. How great is YOUR goodness, Which YOU have stored up for those who fear YOU, Which YOU have wrought for those who take refuge in YOU, Before the sons of men! YOU hide them in the secret place of YOUR PRESENCE from the conspiracies of man; YOU keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues.
THOSE ARE EXTREMELY SWEET WORDS. HIS goodness is indeed great and HE will lavish it on those who fear HIM. Goodness is what HE has in store for those who HIDE themselves IN HIM. I can think this morning of no sweeter place to be than hidden in the presence of my SAVIOR.
THANK YOU, FATHER, FOR INVITING EACH OF US TO COME AND HIDE OURSELVES IN YOU. THANK YOU THAT WHEN WE CHOOSE THIS PATH ON THE STORMY DAYS YOU WILL HIDE US AND HOLD US CLOSE TO YOUR OWN HEART. WHAT A GRACIOUS FATHER YOU ARE. HOW TENDER OF YOU TO REACH DOWN OUT OF THE PORTALS OF HEAVEN AND TO PUT YOUR HOLY HANDS INTO THE MESSES THAT WE MAKE AND TO LIFT US TO THE PLACE WHERE YOU ARE. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO COME NEAR YOU. O JESUS, HOLD US CLOSE TODAY AND KEEP US EVER SEEKING YOUR FACE. I LOVE YOU...BUT I SO WANT TO LOVE YOU MORE. TEACH ME LORD...TEACH ME HOW TO WALK TODAY. IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS I PRAY...AMEN!