Journaling in a Cave

Psalm 57

English Standard Version (ESV)

57 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
    for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
    till the storms of destruction pass by.
² I cry out to God Most High,
    to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
³ He will send from heaven and save me;
    he will put to shame him who tramples on me.  

Selah
 

God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!

⁴ My soul is in the midst of lions;
    I lie down amid fiery beasts—
the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,
    whose tongues are sharp swords.

⁵ Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
    Let your glory be over all the earth!

⁶ They set a net for my steps;
    my soul was bowed down.
They dug a pit in my way,
    but they have fallen into it themselves. 

Selah

***

 David is running from Saul in this passage. Saul considers David a threat to his throne. Saul's son Jonathan, whom is very close with David, helped him escape from the reaches of Saul's army. David is in a cave right now. 

Think of the last cave you were in. I mean a literal cave. If you weren't there alone, imagine you were. How lonely would that place feel? I haven't been in many caves in my lifetime, but the one's I've been in have felt... oppressive. Like I was in a cramped room that was impenetrable. 

More than likely, a cave was David's only means of shelter. Often, when we feel oppressed or under pressure, we seek any means of relief or shelter, even if it's not the smartest choice. 

We can learn a few valuable things from David here:

1. The man was not afraid to leave a dangerous situation. So often, we feel like we are failing if we extricate ourselves from a place, a relationship, a friendship that's unhealthy; good people stick it out, right? There comes a point when letting go is the wise thing to do, though it may not be the easy thing. David fled his homeland because he did not want to be killed. Good thing too, because God had big plans for him that involved him not dying.
2. He asks God for things. I often feel like I'm bothering God if I get specific with requests to Him beyond "God, do your will in (situation) and help (person) in their (situation)." David boldly claims what he knows God will do for him in his situation. He takes the promise of God he knows to be true, and prays through it by journaling (We call this journal entry "Psalm 57.")
3. David sleeps peacefully in the midst of incredible danger. How does he do this? He trusts God. Look at that last passage! "They dug a pit in my way, but they have fallen into it themselves." David clearly believes that these people will trip themselves up and never make to him in time to hurt him. Do we trust God in this way?

If you find yourself in a cave in your life today, spend some time in trusting prayer to God. Maybe it's at the dinner table, maybe it's at your desk, maybe it's in the car on the way home. Be honest with God. Tell Him why it's hard to trust Him. Ask Him to help you in the midst of difficulty, and ask Him to remind you why you call Him Lord. 

 

May the Father bless your weekend; may it be full of grace, boldness, joy and wonder at the beauty of our Lord.