How would you like to live in a cave? When my two, now adult children were much younger, we went through several large caves in the state of Kentucky. They were quite spectacular. However, I don’t think I would want to spend any length of time living in a cave. For one, they tend to be chilly. The average temperature of a cave year-round is between 48 - 54 F (8.8 - 12.2 C). That can be momentarily refreshing on a hot summer day, but no one usually keeps their homes that chilled! Also, frequently caves are damp places, with moist walls. I don’t think of that as being a pleasant environment to live in. Today’s psalm was written by David when he was hiding out in a cave, living there for a while. Let’s take a look at what he wrote.
Those who are familiar with the life of David know that for several years he was on the run for his life from King Saul. Saul had given him a position in his court as a musician, and also knew of his great military skill leading the army against the Philistines. Saul quickly became very jealous of David, and being mentally unstable, tried to take David’s life, causing the young man to flee and live in hiding. There were at least two occasions when David hid in caves. One was in a cave of Adullam (I Samuel 22:1-2), and another was in a cave of En-gedi (I Samuel 24:1-7). Our psalm could have been written during either of these occasions, or perhaps even another occasion in a cave.
These must have been times of desperation for David, for hiding in a cave can be rather risky. In order to effectively hide, one must go a ways into the cave. Unless you know the cave fairly well, that can be dangerous, as you never know where a sudden drop-off might be. Without modern caving equipment, and only having a burning torch for light, it could be hazardous. With his enemies hot on his tail, David felt that the cave was his only place of shelter and safety at the time, so he trusted in the Lord, crying out to Him for help, which we see recorded in Psalm 142.
Are there situations in your life when you are feeling desperate? Maybe you have literal, physical enemies attacking you in one way or another. Or perhaps the desperate situation may be a financial crisis or health crisis. You feel trapped, like David did, and you are backed into some type of “cave”. When we feel cornered by whatever enemy or hopeless situation we are in, only God can keep us safe. Without His intervention, our situation is hopeless, but with Him we find a refuge (vs. 5).
It seems that during this time, David was alone, or perhaps with just very few companions, as when he was praying and crying out to God, he indicated that he felt abandoned by everyone (vs. 4). He turned to his right, to his left, and there was no one who would acknowledge him, and take up his side, his cause. “No one cares for my soul.” That is a cry of a very depressed and discouraged person! Have you ever felt like that? That is a terrible way to feel! His relationship with his blood family wasn’t so great, no one at court seemed willing to take up his cause with King Saul other than Jonathan, who was nowhere around now. Several times he had been betrayed, and now he was hiding in a cave. Maybe any “friends” you had have all turned their back on you, and you feel like you have to crawl into a cave like David did. If so, do what he did, and cry out to God, putting your trust in His love and care. He is your refuge and your portion (vs. 5).
As mentioned above, many years ago my children and I visited several caves in Kentucky, which were very amazing. David, though, was not on a vacation tour of the cave he was in. In addition to being potentially dangerous, he was also trapped. He couldn’t just walk out, or risk being caught and executed. This cave was like a prison to David (vs. 7). Sometimes we are stuck in a situation we cannot get out of on our own. This can sometimes happen due to the oppression of others. Then there are times when we put ourselves in bondage through sin, or are held captive due to a wrong attitude. In either case, only God can set us free from our captivity, and He will if we trust in Him.
Do you find yourself in a “cave” today, all alone, with no one to turn to for help, feeling imprisoned either from your enemies or your own failings? Do not give in to despair. In the midst of his loneliness and seeming hopelessness, David did not lose sight of God. Turn to Him, and find your refuge in His love and care.
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