Psalm 142
A psalm of David, regarding his experience in the cave. A prayer.
1I cry out to the LORD; I plead for the LORD’s mercy.
2I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles.
3For I am overwhelmed, and you alone know the way I should turn. Wherever I go, my enemies have set traps for me.
4I look for someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought! No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me.
5Then I pray to you, O LORD. I say, “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life.
6Hear my cry, for I am very low. Rescue me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me.
7Bring me out of prison so I can thank you. The godly will crowd around me, for you treat me kindly.” (Psalm 142, NLT)
Like many people in our country, my wife and I have been locked down at home during this pandemic. We’re working from home, we don’t go out much and besides virtual meetings, we’re pretty much disconnected physically from others.
Our home has been what I call our “Covid Cave.”
Psalm 142 is a psalm of David when he was on the run and in hiding from Saul, who wanted to kill him. This psalm was of particular interest to me because he’s writing about his experience hiding out in a cave.
It’s not likely that the circumstances of your experience mirror David’s. Most of us don’t have enemies chasing us and wanting to kill us. And even though I’ve jokingly referred to my home as a “cave”, I at least have a working toilet, running water and internet streaming services, none of which David enjoyed in his situation.
Still, the circumstances surrounding this pandemic have been mentally traumatizing for many, and the resultant emotions may be similar to David’s. Just look at how David describes his situation:
He felt overwhelmed (Verse 3).
He felt trapped (Verse 3).
He felt disconnected and isolated from others (Verse 4).
He felt helpless…like nobody cared about him (Verse 4).
He felt like his life situation was too strong for him (Verse 6).
He felt imprisoned (Verse 7).
Can you resonate with these emotions? If so, you’re not alone.
How did David deal with these emotions?
First of all, David recognized his utter dependence and need for the Lord. He cried out to the Lord. He pleaded with Him for mercy. He poured out his complaints and told Him his troubles.
Secondly, David recognized that the Lord is the only one to whom he could truly turn. He recognized that the Lord alone is his refuge and the only person that he really wants or needs in life.
Who knows how much longer we will be in this situation. Hopefully, things will turn around soon. Until things change though, and life returns to some sense of normalcy, I echo David’s prayer to the Lord that He would bring me out of prison so I can thank Him!
Reflection
What personal struggles have you experienced during this pandemic?
What emotions have these struggles produced in you?
How can David’s “Cave Prayer” help you during your “Covid Cave” experience?
Photo by Ksenia Kudelkina on Unsplash
The Lowedown 