Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

Have you ever felt trapped, like life was closing in and you had nowhere to turn? That’s exactly where David was when he wrote Psalm 57. He was hiding in a cave, running for his life from King Saul, who was hunting him down out of jealousy. David had already been anointed as the next king of Israel, but instead of sitting on a throne, he was stuck in the wilderness, unsure of what would happen next.

“Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.” (Psalm 57:1)

I love how honest David is in this Psalm. He doesn’t pretend like everything is fine. He cries out, “Have mercy on me, my God!” But even in his fear, you can hear his faith. “I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.” David doesn’t know when or how his situation will change, but he knows where to place his trust.

I’m sure we have all walked through seasons in life where we feel like we’re in a cave. Maybe that is where you are right now. A season of uncertainty, fear, or waiting. It might be a health crisis, financial struggle, or broken relationship. In those moments and the silence that often accompanies them, it’s easy to believe that God has forgotten us.

Take another look at verses 8 and 9. “Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the people; I will sing praises to you among the nations.”

David doesn’t just pray for rescue. He worships in the middle of the waiting. He is literally hiding for his life, and instead of complaining, he’s singing! His circumstances haven’t changed yet, but David knows neither has his creator.

The cave wasn’t the end of his story, and it’s not the end of yours. God is still at work, even when we can’t see it. Like David, we can take refuge in Him and know that for those whose faith is in God, every storm will eventually run out of rain. When it gets the darkest praise the loudest. Let the sun rise on your worship.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.
• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises? 
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.
  

The Way of Jesus: 7 Marks of Discipleship

As we begin a new series, we encourage you to lean into the 7 Marks of Discipleship each week. The 7 Marks of Discipleship provide a simple tool to help us identify areas where we are thriving in our calling and where we can grow. Check here each week for a new 7 Marks Challenge that will encourage you to follow Jesus closer every day.