Psalm 57:1-2 Be good to me, God—and now! I’ve run to you for dear life. I’m hiding out under your wings until the hurricane blows over. I call out to High God, the God who holds me together.

While Saul was inside the cave, David crept up and cut off a piece of the king’s robe. Of course, he wanted to show the king that he had the chance to kill him, but chose not to because of God’s mercy. However, Saul’s heart did not change, and David still feared for his life.

And while he was fleeing, while his life was in danger, and he saw the enemy face to face, he grabbed his pen. He wrote a psalm that was, in fact, a song of praise. It’s remarkable that in these circumstances, where he was fighting for survival, he still wrote a song of praise to God.

When David was in trouble, he fled to God. He prayed. He wrote. He sang. This proves his relationship with God. He knew where his strength lay. He knew where his help came from. He and his soldiers could make plans, but the true answers and solutions lay with God.

Later in the psalm we read how peace fell upon David and drove the fear from the cave. He wrote: ⁷I’m ready, God, so ready, ready from head to toe, ready to sing, ready to raise a tune.

This is exactly what it looks like to live in an intimate relationship with God. It begins when you come to God and simply say: “Lord, I’m afraid!” Or: “Father, I have no idea what to do next with this challenge I’m facing.”

Intimacy is to make God a part of every step and tell Him exactly about the dangers in your life. And then to admit to God that He is much bigger than the problem you must tackle now.

Intimacy means that you can sit in a cave, in sackcloth and ashes or with the whole shebang, and still praise God. David goes on to say: ⁸“Wake up, soul! Wake up, harp! wake up, lute! Wake up, you sleepyhead sun!” ⁹I’m thanking you, God, out loud in the streets, singing your praises in town and country.

May we follow his example, always turn to God, share everything with Him and sing together and glorify God in everything.

Prayer
Father, things aren’t going well and yet I want to praise You. Help me to keep my eyes on You even in my cave …

Questions
What is the “cave” I am currently in?
Do I run to God first when I am afraid, discouraged, or uncertain?
Can I still praise God, even when my circumstances stay the same?

Do this now
Tell God today what you’re scared of or what is weighing you down. Don’t use fancy words, just speak from your heart.
Write down three things you can still thank God for, even though your circumstances are difficult.
Then intentionally put on a song of praise in your car, at home, or in your headphones, and sing along as an act of faith that God is bigger than your current challenge.