(Psalm 57:1) In you I take refuge.

David is fleeing from Saul who is determined to kill him. 

He is hiding in a cold dark cave. He finds himself alone, desperate, and darkness surrounding him. 

He is facing the possibility of death, not just a bad day. There seems no way out, for Saul and his army are closing in on him. 

In his fear, he lifts his eyes toward God’s character. He cries out for God’s mercy. He shakes off his fear and lifts up his heart to God. He takes refuge “in the shadow of God’s wings,” a place of protection like a mother bird that shelters her young.

Even in a dark cave, David is confident that God is not distant or inactive. 

Somehow and someway, God will send help. 

David’s faith moves to praise, he does not allow fear to overcome him. In the middle of his fear, he lifts his heart in worship. 

He focusses his mind toward God’s greatness and his faithful promises, for God’s love and faithfulness is constant and unending. His love and faithfulness are not just momentary and up and down

In our dark “cave experiences,” we must resist our fears and lift our heart to God in praise. In heartfelt worship, God’s light shines into our life circumstances, no matter how dark things seem.

Our praise and worship is not based on our circumstances, but are based on God’s character. In some way, he turns our circumstances toward our good. 

Let’s take refuge in God, for he has a purpose for our lives and he will fulfill it.

As Psalm 57 emphasizes: even in our darkest caves of life, God will not abandon us.