Whom do you seek in Disasters?

Psalm 57:1-11

“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. I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me.  He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me—God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.

 I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.  Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

They spread a net for my feet—I was bowed down in distress.  They dug a pit in my path—but they have fallen into it themselves.   My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.  Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp, and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.  For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.  Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.”

We find this Psalm referring back to 1 Samuel 22:1, where David escaped from Saul when Achish, the king of Gath, realized he was in great danger from the king.  David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam.  It may be talking about 1 Samuel 24:1-3, where Saul comes into a cave where David is in the wilderness of Engedi.  He made a big mistake, for David and his men were inside, but even though God had put him into David’s hands, David would not take the life of God’s anointed.

As you read 1 Samuel 21-24, you see God answering the prayers of David.  God shows mercy to David, and David was never looking to himself, but God, and God became his refuge.  We know God did fulfill his purpose for David when we have the will to allow God to be our hiding place and shelter, we also will begin to understand our purpose, for each of us, was born to bring honor to our Lord.  Purpose happens with verse 5, “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.”

As you refer back to 1 Samuel 24, you see God’s hand in all areas of the Psalms, the trap Saul believed was with his army of 3000, against David’s 600, had not one thing to do with the size of his army but his need to relieve himself, he fell into God’s trap.  We see this Psalm repeating in verse 11, the prayer of verse 5.

Do you know God’s purpose for your life? If not, today is a great time to get “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren?  God’s purpose for you is unique, and you are the only one that can fill your place, begin today, asking and seeking God’s purpose for your life.

From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice