A Minute of Hope from the PsalmsSample

A Prayer from the Cave—Psalm 142:7

The epigraph for Psalm 142 reads: “A contemplation of David. A prayer when he was in the cave.”

How wonderful that David knew God could hear him from his gloomy hiding place.

He knew very well that God was with him there in the cave.

I cry out to the Lord with my voice... I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble, (verse 1).

What is your “complaint” today? God is a safe landing place for your words of sadness or disappointment–even if your disappointment is with God himself:

“Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Your name . . . for You shall deal bountifully with me.” (Psalm 142:7)

There are times when the future tense seems way too late, and we wait in our cave for a future daylight that may take its time in coming. While you wait there in the quiet darkness, remember God’s faithfulness in the past. Confess to Him that you are willing to have what he wills and to relinquish what he withholds.

O, LORD, you are the Light that shines in dark places, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in our hearts.

Make the choice today to rejoice in God’s faithful and unfailing presence, even when life sends you into a cave of waiting.

Make the choice today to be thankful for the light that shines brightly in the darkest places.