stephen R Harrison

It’s one thing to be in “a cave” and quite another to be in “the cave”. That’s how David introduced Psalm 142. “The cave” refers to David’s hiding from King Saul in caves in Adullum (1 Samuel 22) and En Gedi (1 Samuel 24). King Saul was trying to murder David. On the run and in the cave, David experienced heartache, depression, abandonment, loneliness, and betrayal. Sometimes, we feel as though we’ll never escape “the cave”. We feel stuck. We feel hopeless. In times like those, we must keep our eyes on the Lord if we plan to overcome. Psalm 142 helps us understand how David responded and how we should also respond.

The introduction of this psalm tells us it is a maskil and a prayer. A maskil was most likely a musical term, so we can infer this was a psalm of worship to be sung and prayed. Oh, how we need to worship and pray when we are under attack and in our caves of experienced heartache, depression, abandonment, loneliness, and betrayal. David said, “I cry aloud to the Lord and lift up my voice for mercy. I pour out before Him my complaint; before Him, I tell my trouble” (vv. 1-2). Just as a loving mom understands her baby’s wordless cries, the Lord understands ours. The phrases “pour out” and “before Him” remind us how we must abide in Him (John 15:4) and cast our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7). When we get before the Lord and pour out our heart to Him, He gives us mercy, compassion, grace, and everything needed to sustain us while in the cave, but also to call us out of the cave.

David was tired physically, emotionally, and mentally from being on the run for thirteen years from Saul. He was also exhausted spiritually. He said his “spirit grows faint within” (v. 3). The constant harassment David faced wore him out. It would do that to any of us! David’s hope was God would “watch over my way” (v. 3). Even when we feel stuck in the cave, God has a way forward for our lives! The cave may seem like a snare and dead-end of the enemy, but with God with us, it can be a place of renewed perspective and trust in the Lord. Although David feels abandoned, defenseless, and forgotten (v. 4), He tells his tired spirit “I cry to you, Lord. I say You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living” (v. 5). While others may abandon and forsake us, God never will. He said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5b). His presence and His favor will continually be with us! My young son just entered the room, and I reassured him with this verse!

God hears our cries when we are desperate (v. 6). The problem is that most of the time we are not desperate for Him or His help. We know this because we aren’t crying out for Him. Maybe we have somewhat asked for some assistance, but we still have hope in our abilities, knowledge, and strength. Desperate people have come to the end of themselves and cry out. They cry out because they are at a loss for words, have exhausted their strength, and realized they are not wise enough to do it independently. When we become desperate for the Lord and cry out to Him, He will set us free from the prison of our abandonment, worry, loneliness, heartache, and whatever else may seem overwhelming. He gives us the ability to praise Him in the cave and draw other believers around us for added strength and encouragement. What a good God we serve (v. 7)!

Questions:

1. Are you stuck in the cave of abandonment, loneliness, hurt, or betrayal?
2. Have you become desperate, and are you crying out to God?
3. Are you praising Him while in the cave?

Prayer:
Lord, help me praise You in the cave. I am desperate for You presence, promises, and protection. I realize I have come to the end of my abilities to do what only You can do. Thank you for never leaving or forsaking me! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.