Bible Text: Psalm 57 | Pastor: Randy Schussman | When we go through times of suffering and difficulty, we often respond by asking God, “Why is this happening to me?” David went through times like that as well, but he asked some different questions…

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Singing in the Cave

Psalm 57

First, I want to express a big “thank you” to the following resources: Pastor Stephen J. Cole and his notes on Psalm 57, and also commentary’s by Albert Barnes, Matthew Henry, and Charles Spurgeon.  (read Scripture & pray).  On January 8, 1956, Elizabeth Elliot lost her first husband, Jim Elliot, when he and four other men were martyred as they tried to take the Gospel to the hostile Auca tribe in Ecuador, South America. Then in 1973 she lost her second husband, Addison Leitch, to cancer.

At the Urbana Missions Conference in December of 1976, she told the story of being in Wales and watching a shepherd and his dog.  The dog would herd the sheep up a ramp and into a tank filled with an antiseptic in which they were bathed to protect them from sheep ticks and other parasites. As soon as they would come up out of the tank, the shepherd would grab the rams by the horns and fling them back into the tank and hold them under the antiseptic for a few more seconds.  Mrs. Elliot asked the shepherd’s wife if the sheep understood what was happening.  “They haven’t got a clue,” she said.

Mrs. Elliot said, “I’ve had some experiences in my life that have made me feel very sympathetic to those poor rams—I couldn’t figure out any reason for the treatment I was getting from the Good Shepherd I trusted.  And He didn’t give me a hint of explanation.”

IF you have been a Christian for any length of time, you have been there too, haven’t you?  The Good Shepherd you have trusted as your Savior and LORD threw you into some circumstances that were quite unpleasant and you didn’t have a clue as to “why.”   Some of you are staring one of those circumstances square in the face right now.  It may be a family crisis, an illness, a financial disaster, a major disappointment, or some trial you are going through right now.  You may even be wondering, “Why is this happening to me?”

If that is the case, listen up, because Psalm 57 was written during such a time.  And if you are not facing some kind of calamity right now, you will be soon. Because that is the nature of the world we live in. Here is the context for this Psalm.  As a young teenager, David was anointed by the prophet Samuel to be the next King of Israel.  Shortly thereafter, he slew the giant Goliath and immediately was thrust into national fame.  But King Saul became jealous and sought to destroy David.  David spent the better part of his 20s dodging the jealous rage of Saul.  According to the introductory comments in my Bible, David wrote this Psalm “when he fled from Saul in the cave.”

I can guarantee that if I were forced to live in a cave and running from a madman, the first question out of my mouth for the Good Shepherd would be “Why Lord?”  “What did I do to deserve this?”  That is usually the first question that we ask isn’t it?  But notice that is not the question David asks or answers in this Psalm.  David understood something deeper.  He knew that to ask the question “why?” in the midst of suffering is to ask the wrong question.  The proper questions to ask is “What?” and “How?”  So let’s look at the first question:

“God, what do You want from my life in the midst of this trial and as a result of this trial?”  (What response do you desire from me during this crisis?)  Notice David’s answer.  Actually, he gives 3 answers.

In verses 1-2, God desires that we cry out to Him for His mercy, love and faithfulness. It is admitting to God and myself that I am not strong enough, not wise enough, and not holy enough to do life alone and to face this disaster alone.  This is the wisest & most Godly way to respond to disaster: God, I need your help!
In verse 1, God desires that we take Refuge in Him and that we place our trust in Him to protect us. Like a chick taking shelter under the wings of its mother from danger, so we too need to take refuge in the shadow of the wings of Almighty God, even when we don’t know the “why” of trials.
In verses 5, 9, and again in 11, God desires that He be exalted in our life at all times, even in the midst of trials and as a result of trials.

And so David rightly responds to this crisis, and begins to sing in the cave!  Notice he is not singing the blues!  He’s singing a song of praise to God and exalting Him.  That is what God wants for us too.  He wants us to sing a song of praise and exaltation to God even when we are in a cave of calamity!  His desire for us is to willingly offer honor and praise to our glorious and victorious God for who He is and what He has done.  It means that we hold high who God is, His mercy, his love, his faithfulness. That we honor Him in all we do and say.  That should be our aim at all times, especially in a time of trial or disaster.  But I know what you are thinking? How is that even possible?  How do we sing a song of praise in the cave of our disaster?  Guess what, that is the 2nd Question that David answers in Psalm 57.  He starts to answer this question in verse 1:

“How can I exalt God and sing a song of praise when I am going through a disaster?”

(Reason #1).

David remembered we live in a Temporary World where disasters happen!  57:1b

Notice the word “disaster” in verse 1.  It is very significant to note that the Hebrew word used here for “disaster” is actually plural.  So it should be translated “…until the disasters have passed.”  The ESV reads, “…till the storms of destruction pass by.”  The NKJ translates it this way, “…until calamities have passed by.”

David did not have this false notion that those of us who love God and placed our trust in Him will never have any trials, disasters, or painful experiences. On the contrary.  He knew full well that ever since Adam and Eve had fallen into sin, the entire world has been suffering.  He knew that bad things happen to everyone simply because we live on a fallen planet that is filled with sinful people like you and me.  Every day suffering, disasters, pain, trouble and death happens—yes even to those who love God and who are called according to His purpose.  And by the way, it is only going to get worse, as Paul the Apostle warned us in 2 Timothy 3:1, “But understand this that in the last days there will come times of difficulty (there will be terrible times!).”  Life on planet earth is 1 calamity, disaster, storm after another; it is only going to get worse until Jesus returns!

So I already know what you’re thinking?  How in the world did this truth encourage David to choose to exalt God and sing a song of praise in the cave?  Right?   Notice how he ends verse 1.  What is the last word?  “Passed” or “pass by.”  Underline that word. (And the word “temporary” in point 1).  You see, David not only understood that we live in a fallen world where disaster happens.  He also knew that this old fallen, sinful, violent, disaster and pain-filled world is going to come to an end.  Hallelujah!  And it will be replaced by a new heaven and a new earth where those who take refuge in Jesus will be with Him forever.  That new world will be a disaster-less world!   David speaks of this glorious truth in Psalm 23:6 where he declares, “And I will dwell in the House of the LORD forever!”  See also Rev. 21:1-4. (Reason #2).

David Remembered God’s Promise to Protect those who take refuge in Him. 57:1

David uses a graphic word picture here.  It is a picture of a mother hen protecting its chicks from impending danger.  Have you ever seen that happen?  I remember my grandpa’s Bandy hens protecting their chicks from the dogs and the dozens of cats we had on the farm.  To my knowledge there was not one dog or cat that had enough courage to take on a mother hen with a brood of chicks!  That is a graphic picture of what God promises to do for those who commit their lives to Christ: He promises to protect us from the enemy of our souls, under the shadow of His wings.  The Lord promises this kind of protection in dozens of Bible passages.  Here are 2.

God the Father promises in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 43:2, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…”

God the Son promises in the New Testament, in John 10:27-29. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow Me.  I give them Eternal Life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to me is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of My Fathers Hands.”

Notice, these promises do not tell us that we will never have calamities or disasters.  On the contrary!  We will have high waters, and raging rivers, and flames to face.  What God does promise is His presence, His peace and His protection.  Nothing can snatch us out of His loving and protective hands; no one can touch our eternal soul.  When we are in Christ we are saved, sealed and secure!

Example: Several years ago my grandson Micah told me about a fascinating creature called the Diving Bell Spider.  This curious little fellow is found in Europe and Asia and has a God given protection that is pretty unique.  When the spider is threatened by one of its many enemies, it has the unique ability to form a bubble around itself and then it dives to the bottom of the river or lake.  There beneath the surface of the water, this spider is kept safe and secure from the attacks of its enemies.  It can remain there for hours, even days.  When the coast is clear, the spider comes back up to the surface unharmed!  That is a tiny picture of the impenetrable protection that God places around every believer in Christ.  If you are taking refuge in the shadow of the Almighty, then nothing or no one can harm your eternal soul.  You are eternally saved, sealed & secure in His hands!  This promise alone is worth singing a song of praise in the midst of your cave or calamity!  (Reason #3).

David Remembered God’s Promise to Fulfill His Purpose for His life.  57:2

According to I Samuel 16 God had informed Samuel the prophet that David was God’s choice to be the next King of Israel.  God’s Word states that Samuel anointed him with oil and the Spirit of God came upon David in power.  Even in the midst of this crisis, David had Holy Spirit confidence that God had a purpose for his life—to serve as Israel’s godly leader when King Saul was gone.  And David knew that no disaster would be able to thwart God’s purposes for his life.  Not even Saul and his army.

The same is true for you and me and every redeemed child of God.  God has a purpose and a plan for your life.  You see, your life is not an accident or a string of coincidences that have no rhyme or reason.  If you are a follower of Jesus, God has a divine purpose and a detailed plan for your life.  And rest assured, 100% of them will be fulfilled in your life.

Scripture: “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God.  How vast is the sum of them!”  (Psalm 139:16-17)

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  Ephesians 2:10

Imagine, every detail, every mountain top experience, every valley of calamity, every plan, every purpose for your existence is written down in a book that God has in heaven. It was published before you were even born!  And 100% of those purposes will be accomplished, regardless of what crisis or calamity you may face in life!

Example: My mom is going through a very difficult time right now.  She is 97 years old, she is legally blind, she cannot hear well, she sleeps much of the day away, and she is essentially locked down in an Assisted Living facility and cannot have any visitors.  Sometimes when I talk with her on the phone she wonders out loud why the LORD doesn’t just take her home.  I have to remind her often, “Mom, God has a purpose for you to fulfill; He has some assignments that still need to be finished. I can think of 2. First, there are some people who need hear about God’s saving love for them. It is your assignment to show them and tell them about God’s love for them!  Secondly, you need to be praying for you children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.”  Her response is always, “You are right Randy.  Thank you for reminding me!”

Sometimes we all need to be reminded of this marvelous promise of God, especially when we are in the midst of a disaster!  Not one crisis, not one disaster, not one trial, not even Satan can thwart God’s plans or purpose for your life.  Now that is something to sing the praises of Jesus over.

David Remembered God’s Promise to Keep Pouring Out His Love & Faithfulness. 57:3

In verse 3, David testifies that even though he is in the midst of a crisis, God continued to send him a fresh and daily supply of His love and faithfulness.  In Verse 10 David informs us just how much love and faithfulness God has.  “For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.”  In other words, the skies the limit.  David’s message is this: Even though I am living in this cold and dark cave God keeps on pouring out His love and His faithfulness into my heart, so much so that I want to sing a song of praise to Him and exalt His glorious Name!  And brothers and sisters in Christ, God has promised the same for you also.

Scripture: God has written down this promise for you and me in Lamentations 3:19-23.  “I remember my affliction…and my soul is downcast within me. (stop)!  Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope. Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.

Here is God’s promise to you: No matter how many disasters you may have to face, no matter how painful life becomes, no matter how deep a valley you may have to walk through, God’s love is deeper still.  No matter what happens to you, God promises that He will keep on pouring upon you all the love and all the faithfulness that you will need!  So much so that you will want to sing in your cave!

Example: Ann Voskamp, the author of a book entitled “One Thousand Gifts” faced many disasters in her young life. When she was a little girl her younger sister was killed by a delivery truck.  In her early married years, she and her husband buried two little sons with a rare disease.  Shortly thereafter, her mother in law passed away from cancer.  Needless to say, her life was filled with sorrow.  She couldn’t get out of her cave of sadness and depression.  Then one day a Christian girl friend of hers suggested that she start writing down all the things she was thankful for and all the ways that God had showed her His love for that day.  She bought a notebook and began to write.  Some days it was hard to come up with any.  But the longer she did it the easier it came to affirm the love and mercies of God that were new every morning.  Soon, her heart and her countenance began to change.  The more she named these gifts of God’s love and wrote them down, the more she experienced joy, peace and contentment.  Like David, she began to have a heart that wanted to sing a song of praise and exaltation to the God whose love reaches to the heavens and whose faithfulness is above the skies!

Conclusion: Perhaps you are in a cave of calamity, or facing a dungeon of disaster this morning?  Then follow David’s example.