Psalms – Prayers of Honesty
There is a lot to gain in Psalm 57 in the knowledge of our God and His attributes. David provides insight and understanding about the God who was, is and is to come. David’s God is our God. Let’s stop and wrap our heads around that thought as we read…
Psalm 57, The Message
A David Psalm, When He Hid in a Cave from Saul
1-3 Be good to me, God—and now! I’ve run to you for dear life.
I’m hiding out under your wings
until the hurricane blows over.
I call out to High God,
the God who holds me together.
He sends orders from heaven and saves me,
he humiliates those who kick me around.
God delivers generous love,
he makes good on his word.
4 I find myself in a pride of lions
who are wild for a taste of human flesh;
Their teeth are lances and arrows,
their tongues are sharp daggers.
5 Soar high in the skies, O God!
Cover the whole earth with your glory!
6 They booby-trapped my path;
I thought I was dead and done for.
They dug a mantrap to catch me,
and fell in headlong themselves.
7-8 I’m ready, God, so ready,
ready from head to toe,
Ready to sing, ready to raise a tune:
“Wake up, soul!
Wake up, harp! wake up, lute!
Wake up, you sleepyhead sun!”
9-10 I’m thanking you, God, out loud in the streets,
singing your p
raises in town and country.
The deeper your love, the higher it goes;
every cloud is a
flag to your faithfulness.
11 Soar high in the skies, O God!
Cover the whole earth with your glory!
SOMETHING TO CHEW…
What an encouragement to know God is and always has been near those who love Him! Struggles in this life, no matter how small or big, draws humans immediately to the circumstance at hand. David is pushed into a cave to hide from Saul. At first, he sees only the predicament he is now in. But then he immediately cries out to the God who loves him. “I’m hiding out under your wings until the hurricane (Saul) blows over. I call out to High God, the God who holds me together.”
HEART CHECK: What is our first heart cry when faced with difficulty?
Because of David’s wonderfully tight knit relationship with God, he goes to Him first. God gives David wisdom, confidence for the situation he now faces, with knowing God will protect him and see him through it all. “God delivers generous love, he makes good on his word.” David remembers the promises of God when he is in a really bad place at the moment.
HEART CHECK: What promises of God do we rely on in tight situations?
David is honest. He is ready to live through his imposing dark cave experience. “Soar high in the skies, O God! Cover the whole earth with your glory!” David wants God’s glory to be seen through his difficult situation. He relies on God to overcome.
HEART CHECK: Who do we rely on most? Who gets the credit for seeing us through what life throws at us?
God protects David, the one he called to be the next king. David’s first response is to worship. It is no wonder God calls David “a man after His own heart.” David calls everyone and every thing to worship God.
“I’m ready, God so ready, ready from head to toe,
Ready to sing, ready to raise a tune:
‘Wake up, soul!
Wake up, harp! wake up, lute!
Wake up, you sleepyhead sun!”
HEART CHECK: What is our first response when the storms of life have passed?
Dear Heavenly Father,
My first response before, during and after a difficult situation is gratitude for You. Life is all about you. I cry out to You and You are there and I thank You. I cry out to You in the middle of a mess and You teach me. Sometimes I run to you with honest feelings and you help me sort through it all so I can see Your Truth. What a relief when we get to the other side of a problem and see Your hand through it all. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being a God of then and now. Thank you for being Present with us. Thank you for waking our souls this morning!
In Jesus Name, Amen
Sing with me, how great is our God?!
Let this song be our “fight song”…
“Wake” (by Hillsong)At break of day, in hope we rise
We speak Your Name, we lift our eyes
Tune our hearts into Your beat
Where we walk, there You’ll be
With fire in our eyes, our lives a-light
Your love untamed, it’s blazing out
The streets will glow forever bright
Your glory’s breaking through the night
You will never fade away, Your love is here to stay
By my side, in my life, shining through me everyday
You will never fade away, Your love is here to stay
By my side, in my life, shining through me everyday
You wake within me, wake within me
You’re in my heart forever
You wake within me, wake within me
You’re in my heart forever…
