September 14, 2016
Have you ever been there? Enemies seem to be closing in. It looks like there is no way of escape. Things have happened that have trapped you and it appears there is absolutely nothing you can do?
Young David was being chased by King Saul. As you know, Saul and his men came into a cave and slept and David was trapped within, but managed to escape by the grace of God. Psalm 57 is his prayer and confession that shows us the very effective steps when can take in our distress.
WHAT CAN WE DO IN A CAVE?
TAKE REFUGE
My soul takes refuge in you and in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge until destruction passes by (Vs. 1).
We must consciously turn to the Lord in trust and make God our hiding place. This is the beginning. We must take refuge—not in our own plans—but in God alone. God will let us exhaust our meager resources until we come to this wise conclusion.
CRY OUT
I will cry to God Most High, to God who accomplishes all things for me (Vs. 2).
We must cry out in prayer knowing that God alone is the One who can accomplish every single thing that is needed for us. Prayer must be our first and continual response, not our last resort.
BE STEADFAST
My heart is steadfast, O God (Vs 7).
We must remain in a posture of faith and dependency upon the Lord, regardless of the changing circumstances and increased activity of the adversaries around us. When our heart begins to faint, we must strengthen ourselves in the Lord and continue to trust in Him.
SING!
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises (Vs. 7).
Only the trusting soul can do this, but we can and must praise the Lord. ""In everything give thanks,"" Paul says and, ""Rejoice in the Lord always,"" he writes from a Roman prison cell. We can worship, recognizing His sovereignty over our lives and our enemies and expressing our contentment and joy in Him. Praise is the ultimate expression of faith!
WHAT DOES GOD DO FOR US WHEN WE ARE IN A CAVE?
Was all of this just a worthless exercise for David? Shouting into the wind? Look what God does for those who will faithfully turn to Him in a cave.
HE WILL DO WHAT IS NEEDED
""I will cry to God Most High, to God who accomplishes all things for me"" (vs. 2).
It is God to the rescue, accomplishing everything that needs to happen. God misses nothing on our behalf! And, He knows far better than us what needs to be done and can do it far more effectively! He is the “God Most High!”
HE WILL RELEASE HEAVENLY RESOURCES
""He will send from heaven and save me"" (Vs. 3).
God will dispatch every resource needed from the inexhaustible heavenly supply on our behalf. And, He will deliver us with Divine precision!
HE WILL TAKE CARE OF OUR ENEMIES
""He reproaches him who tramples upon me"" (Vs. 3).
We don't have to worry about our adversaries. ""Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord"" (Romans 12:19). This is why we never have to take our own revenge. God is amazingly effective at settling accounts!
HE WILL SEND GRACE AND TRUTH
""God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth"" (Vs. 3).
This perfectly balanced combination is exactly what is always needed. He vindicates Himself and His children with His truth ... but He always administers it in perfect lovingkindness and grace.
You know the rest of the story with David. Time and again God delivered him, just as He promised. All that happened developed David into a mighty man that God could greatly use. And his witness to the faithfulness of God has stood, (and will stand), to the end of time to help and encourage others.
Apparently, we CAN do something when we're in a cave, besieged by enemies with our back against the wall. And it's amazingly effective!
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