Caved In
When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. ~Psalm 142:3
The inscription for Psalm 142 tells us that it is a "Maschil of David; a Prayer when he was in the cave." This psalm was written either when he was in the cave of Adullam or in one of the caves of Engedi. This is a teaching psalm. It is a lesson that every Christian will have a cave experience in their life. As we review this psalm, David is “caved in.” He is so overcome with fear and anxiety that his experience has gotten the best of him. This psalm teaches us how to pray when, like David, we feel like we are caved in.
We see David and his discouragement.
David said, “My spirit was overwhelmed within me.” He spoke of his “complaint” and “trouble.” He speaks of Saul as one of his “persecutors.” He spoke of his predicament as his “prison.” Discouragement is overwhelming as David said. It takes away our joy. Our world feels like it is falling apart. We have sleepless nights. God feels like He is very far away. We look for an escape. The cave can be a place where discouraged people find themselves.
We see David and his desire.
David pours his heart to the Lord. Three times he speaks of crying out to the Lord. He lays out his situation before the Lord. David wants out of this situation. He has no one to turn to but the Lord. He prays for a clear path. He prays for protection. He prays for prudence and wisdom. He prays for God to get him out of this horrible situation that he is in. His prayer is explicit. His prayer is extensive. His prayer is excruciating. God knows how bad David feels and how much he needs God’s help.
We see David and his dependence.
David’s situation taught him to depend on the Lord. David’s faith needed bolstering. Trials enable us to realize how much we need the Lord. Trials enable us to remove the hindrances that keep us from closeness to God. First, David told the Lord that He was David’s refuge or hiding place. That very statement indicated that he was safer trusting in God than he was hiding in a cave. Second, David acknowledged God was his resource. He said, “Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.” David had complete dependence upon God. There was no escape except through God. When life has us caved in, we need to have faith in God and God alone. Because of this, he was able to see light at the end of the tunnel.
Are you caved in like David was? Call on the Lord, and trust Him for the outcome.
Have a faith-enabled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Micah 1-4