I look to you for protection.
I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings
until the danger passes by.
2 I cry out to God Most High,t
to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.
3 He will send help from heaven to rescue me,
disgracing those who hound me. Interlude
My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.
4 I am surrounded by fierce lions
who greedily devour human prey—
whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows,
and whose tongues cut like swords.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens!
May your glory shine over all the earth.
6 My enemies have set a trap for me.
I am weary from distress.
They have dug a deep pit in my path,
but they themselves have fallen into it. Interlude
7 My heart is confident in you, O God;
my heart is confident.
No wonder I can sing your praises!
8 Wake up, my heart!
Wake up, O lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn with my song.
9 I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.
I will sing your praises among the nations.
10 For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
May your glory shine over all the earth.
The beginning of Psalm 57 says A psalm of David, regarding the time he fled from Saul and went into the cave. To be sung to the tune Do Not Destroy!
I identify with cave living. I love it.
David's cave was probably one in the wilderness of En Gedi, which is an oasis in Israel, located west of the Dead Sea, near Masada and the caves of Qumran. En Gedi served as one of the main places of refuge for David as he fled from Saul. David "dwelt in strongholds at En Gedi" (1 Sam. 23:29).
Like Davd and maybe you too, I can feel like I am "surrounded by fierce lions who greedily devour human prey whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords". There are certainly days where I have seen, " My enemies have set a trap for me. I am weary from distress. They have dug a deep pit in my path, but they themselves have fallen into it."
There is a surreal quality of finding refuge in a cave. It has an odd dreamlike quality with the coolness, opaque hue, and solitude; it is a true escape from the chaotic world. The noise is blocked out by the thick rock and one is not easily accessible in a cave. Cell phones have no service.
My cave living is a necssary margin that I must put in the middle of long work hours, long commute and even from spending time with other people on a reglar basis. In my 'cave living' I must be careful not to turn inward to sely-pity but upwards to God - for then, God and I talk, I can listen to Him and He can restore me.
Dear Friend, people and situations can damage us. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, gives us such wonderful gifts amidst the crazy sinful backdrop of this life - He provides peace and protection, wisdom to handle and situation or person and the assureness of His almighty love for us. "I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." John 14:27. May you find Him in your 'cave time' today.
