How to Behave in a Cave!



I cry aloud to the LORD;
I plead aloud to the LORD for mercy.
2 I pour out my complaint before Him;
I reveal my trouble to Him. 3 Although my spirit is weak within me,
You know my way. Along this path I travel
they have hidden a trap for me.

4 Look to the right and see: no one stands up for me; there is no refuge for me; no one cares about me. 5 I cry to You, LORD; I say, "You are my shelter, my
portion in the land of the living."

6 Listen to my cry, for I am very weak.
Rescue me from those who pursue me,
for they are too strong for me.

7 Free me from prison so that I can praise Your name. The righteous will gather around me because You deal generously with me.
(Psalm 142: 1-7). Holman Christian Standard Bible

David the boy wonder from the hills, has been anointed the heir apparent to the throne of Israel. Only problem was, the throne had yet to be vacated!

From the time David was anointed the "Next" King, until he became King, about ten years! A Decade of trying to elude, one angry Potentate... King Saul! When you read this Psalm...David is on the run!

A little backdrop is needed...

After killing Goliath of Gath, a man standing an imposing 9'9 inches tall( NBA Scouts would have been drooling) David, had entered into military service for Saul.

Davids battlefield exploits had been declared (Through song) all over...his victory over Goliath was a number one hit....and a jealous King, decided to put a " Hit" out on David! So David...is on the run! Wouldn't you be?

Often our first instinct when facing the " Giants" of life is to run. We are sure that space and distance will enable us to stay clear of the problem. We learn however that the problem is always waiting for us, and there is nothing left to do but face it, in the strength of God!

As someone well said "The Gorilla is going to get out of the cage anyway, might as well go unlock the door"!

Simply stated Problems faced can become Problems solved, but problems ignored lead to...a bigger problem!

In many Bibles the “title” that is given to this psalm is– “When he was in the cave.” I like that! I can identify with that. And you can to.

One devotional writer wrote:
It is one of the few psalms that give you a picture of where David physically is as this is written. We are privy to a most intimate prayer. David fled, he ran from Saul and he was fleeing for his life.

He had nothing - no provisions, he had no followers and he had nowhere to turn. He is in a desperate situation, isolated and lonely.
What can we do, when we are in a like condition?

How should we behave in a cave?

I. CRY aloud- Verse 1. I plead aloud to the LORD for mercy.

II. ADMIT your need Verses 2-4.
I pour out my complaint before
Him; I reveal my trouble to Him.

Although my spirit is weak within me,
You know my way.Along this path I travel
they have hidden a trap for me.

4 Look to the right and see:
no one stands up for me;
there is no refuge for me;
no one cares about me.

III. Be AWARE of God’s presence Verses 5-7.
5 I cry to You, LORD;
I say, "You are my shelter,
my portion in the land of the living."

6 Listen to my cry,
for I am very weak.
Rescue me from those who pursue me,
for they are too strong for me.

7 Free me from prison
so that I can praise Your name.
The righteous will gather around me

There has been; there is now or there will soon be a time in your life that you are in “a cave…locked in a prison." A lot of us have -“been there, done that and have the scars to prove it" J. Douglass Duty Jr.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Home!

Image
Michelle Robin Hensley November 11th 1969 - September 15th 2009 "We believe as Christians, that when our loved ones die, they go to be with the Lord. The Bible teaches that the Lord is with us. Well if they are with Him, and He is with us...they cannot be very far away" Peter Marshall My Dear Friend's, September 15 at 10:35 pm, my wonderful and Godly 39 year old sister Michelle, stepped into the presence of our Glorious Lord and King . Thank you for your wonderful support and kindness and understanding, our family has felt your care and warmth. I will forever be thankful that I came "Home" to be with her and my mom arriving Tuesday morning. Shell was unresponsive and in a coma all day. She was blessed to be comforted by Mom, my brother Mike, his wife Chrissie, and their two sons Caleb, and Josh. Barbara, my mother in law was there throughout the day, and part of the eveing. Several of Shell's friends came as well. Hospice was great (every step of the way) a
Read more

In Honor of Peter Marshall.

Image
In Memory of a Man who was after God's own heart. As a younger minister my heart warmed to His preaching, (From recorded sermons) the soaring diction, the impassioned eloquent proclamation of truth, through a life consumed by Christ! As a middle aged Pastor now, the memory of this incomparable Preacher continues to inspire! I am so looking forward to meeting Dr. Marshall in heaven! Few people in my life's journey have touched me as deeply as the late Peter Marshall. Here is just a sample of his profound way of turning a phrase... • A different world cannot be built by indifferent people. • Give to us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for - because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything. • God will not permit any troubles to come upon us, unless He has a specific plan by which great blessing can come out of the difficulty. • If you hug to yourself any resentment against anybody else, you destroy the bridge by which God would come t
Read more

How are things at home?

Image
              A year ago today, hearts were breaking, tears were flowing and pain left us nearly breathless.   A year ago we said a teary temporary (Thank God) farewell (Christians, never say goodbye, for the final time) to Michelle Robin Hensley , my sister, my dear friend.  The 12 months that we have walked and sometimes stumbled through, have been difficult.   The Lord has, as He promised, bore our burdens, comforted  hearts....and dried tears.   Oh they still come , often, I think they always will .  There is so much we miss , about you, so much we want to share with you .  I know that in some way you know what we are doing.... maybe in more detail than we can imagine. I still have a lump in my throat from time to time ....and missing you is a pale way to describe the ache.... but I know you are with the Lord ....and I am comforted . There are no words to describe how much we miss you . Your laughter , your wit ...your timing always spot on! I picture you now in
Read more