God is our Refuge in time of Trouble

God is our Refuge in time of Trouble

        I think most of us don't have nearly as big problems as King David had—or the other writers of the Psalms. How would you like to be hiding in a cave in a rugged mountainous desert area while the king is hunting for you to kill you? That's our Psalm for this morning: Psalm 142 “When he was in the cave” is the inscription (which is part of the sacred text.) It's also called “A Prayer” so let's use it as such.
¹ With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord. ² I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.
³ When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. (ESV)

        Listen to his earnest prayer: “I cry out to the Lord”; “I plead for mercy to the Lord”; “I pour out my complaint” to God; “I tell Him my trouble.”

       And the hardest part, his spirit is fainting within him. He's losing his courage and his “hope” or expectation is taking a battering. The ESV notes: The Psalmist is 1) out of energy, 2) beset by dangers and confusion, and 3) painfully alone. (The next verse says, “no one cares for my soul.”)

          But he clings to God as his refuge and prays to Him. ⁵ I cry to you, O Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

          He knows he should have an attitude of thanksgiving so he prays to God, “⁷ Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name! the righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me.”

         He feels trapped and he wants God to free him from the bondage of his situation. And he surely remembers that God has delivered him in the past: ¹ I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. ² He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. ³ And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. ⁴ Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust. . . . Psalm 40:1-4

       David's situation seems to continue in the next Psalm as “the enemy has pursued my soul.” I take that to mean the devil who “walks about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.” So he repeats his complaint: ^“Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled.” 143:4

         But he knows what to do and what to think about: ^“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah “ 143:5-6

         And he concludes his prayer as we can ours:
“ Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. . . . I have fled to you for refuge! Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! . . . bring my soul out of trouble! . . .for I am your servant.”143:8-12 And God takes care of His servants—and certainly He is a Father to His children!

                                                                         --Pastor Burnside