Canvey Island Methodist Church Bible Study 22nd September 2020
Safe and Secure in the arms of God
Psalm 31:1-8, 23-24[a]. New International Version
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.
3 Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
4 Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hands I commit my spirit;
deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.
6 I hate those who cling to worthless idols;
as for me, I trust in the Lord.
7 I will be glad and rejoice in your love,
for you saw my affliction
and knew the anguish of my soul.
8 You have not given me into the hands of the enemy
but have set my feet in a spacious place.
23 Love the Lord, all his faithful people!
The Lord preserves those who are true to him,
but the proud he pays back in full.
24 Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the Lord.
Footnotes: a.Psalm 31:1 In Hebrew texts 31:1-24 is numbered 31:2-25.
This week has seen really high tides along the southeastern coast of England, with waters covering areas usually left dry at places such as Tollesbury, Maldon and West Mersey. On Canvey Island, we are very blessed to be surrounded by some of the best sea defenses in the world that keep such Autumn high tides at bay. Such structures are the result of many years of accumulated experience and knowledge of land encroachment by the sea especially along the coastlines of Suffolk and into Essex. This past weekend has seen Cathy and I explore the peaceful environs of Aldeburgh in Suffolk with its quaint streets, picturesque Parish Church, shingle beaches and its historic Martello Tower.
Whilst it’s low lying coastline has now, like that of Canvey Island, been secured and protected by the modern sea defenses of the “Environment Agency”, its recent history records the loss, not only of single properties to the sea, but also of a complete village. On what is now a promontory or spit of land on the outskirts of Aldeburgh once stood the hamlet of Slaughden. In its heyday there were twenty houses here, a pub, warehouses, a fish curing-salt store and a soap factory. In fact around 1674, Slaghden had superseded the nearby village of Dunwich as the port of choice for seafarers and traders. As the images below suggest, like its more famous neighbour of Dunwich, Slaughden lost its battle with the sea and today is remembered now only via a memorial plaque on the road to the Yacht Club that stands in its place.
Three Mariners Inn at Slaughden is on the far left of the picture.
In 1909, Slaughden was described as a ‘small, sea-threatened cluster of cottages bordering a primitive quay and grouped around an ancient inn.
Above image tracks the gradual loss of land to the sea of the more famous town of Dunwich.
Psalm 31 talks about a place of refuge, salvation and of safety, of a fortress on a rock. Such defences are part and parcel of British, European and World history and there are hundreds of them; Canvey Island is even overlooked by one at Hadleigh.
Perhaps one of the more famous (and intact) of these structures is Edinburgh Castle, built to provide security for its people. Strategically situated atop a high overlook, its massive walls offered protection for the towns people whenever invaders approached. Yet as impenetrable as that great fortress seemed, it once fell to hostile forces. (In 1639 the castle was captured in just 30 minutes, taken by Covenanter forces led by the distinguished General Alexander Leslie). This reminds us that humanity's best efforts can never provide complete security against disaster. (Again with Edinburgh Castle in mind, history also records that on another occasion, a Jacobite force failed to capture the castle during the Rising of 1715 thanks to poor planning. The ladder they brought to scale the ramparts turned out to be too short).
By contrast, the psalmist, David had a perfect protection plan. The Lord was his rock and fortress. (Psalm 31:2-3). He trusted in God and was secure even amidst the attacks of all his foes.
In the third of these daily bread “Finding hope in the Psalms reflections”, the writer David Egner, suggests that “That this sense of security in Almighty God as our refuge can extend for each of us even beyond the grave. At His crucifixion, Jesus quoted David’s words from Psalm 31v5 when He said, “Father into your hands I commit my Spirit (Luke 23:46)”.
Sometimes Christians who have great confidence in the Lord throughout life feel apprehensive as they near death. Psalm 31 helps calm those fears. The same God who is their fortress in life will protect them from the terrors of death and welcome them safely home.
We are all safe in God’s strong hands. There is no tide or enemy strong enough to overcome our place as those who are “hidden in Christ” (Colossians 3:3). The psalmist said, “The Lord preserves those who are true to him” (Psalm 31:23). We can be certain that He will protect us in death as well as in life! We can also know the assurance that God is with us all now through these days of unfolding news of Covid - 19 developments and that he hears our prayers now for our families, friends, neighbours, community and country.
May God bless us all in the week ahead and may we all know his wonderful peace that passes all understanding.
Hymn: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Showalter (Cover)
Points to ponder? How does it strengthen you to know the Lord is our fortress in life and in death?
A Prayer to Conclude:
O Lord, you are greater than every storm and trial; you are greater than epidemic, you are greater than death itself! Help me to place every fear in Your hands today, knowing that Jesus has secured my place in your family forever!
Amen.