by Ron Halbrook
Synopsis: As Ron and I have labored together in the Philippines, he has often presented this lesson. It has always been well-received. I asked permission to adapt it from an outline to an article so that our readers might also benefit—ed.
David trusted God in times of physical and spiritual danger (Ps. 57:1). His prayer is preserved for our meditation. Saints today also face danger and distress—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We need to learn how to cope with such trials and help others who are disturbed and troubled.
Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast (Ps. 57:1, KJV).
Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, For my soul takes refuge in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge Until destruction passes by (Ps. 57:1, NASB).
If, by God’s grace, we are spared from present distress, be assured that we will face future trials. Therefore, let us prepare our hearts and minds to meet such challenges and changing circumstances. To this end, consider David’s prayer for deliverance. From days of old to the present era, Psalm 57 communicates a hopeful message. The sweet psalmist of Israel defeated danger by trusting God; we prevail over perils by doing the same (Ps. 40:4-5; 62:5-8).
Saul was rejected as king of Israel because he disobeyed God’s command to eradicate the Amalekites, who had fallen under divine judgment (1 Sam. 15:1-3; 20-23; etc. ). Later, when the Philistine champion, Goliath, taunted Israel to choose a contestant with whom he would fight, King Saul cowered in his tent along with the armies of Israel (1 Sam. 17:1-11). The son of Jesse accepted the challenge, killing Goliath with a stone and a sling. Inspired by David’s courage, the men of Judah and Israel arose and won a great victory.
Sadly, King Saul grew jealous and suspicious of young David (1 Sam. 18:6-9). As punishment for his rebellion, “the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord terrorized him” (1 Sam. 16:14). Similar judgment befell Pharaoh: “the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart” (Exod. 9:12). Since Saul and Pharaoh both chose defiant disobedience, divine judgment was forthcoming. As Saul sank deeper into self-pity, he lashed out, blaming others for his failure, instead of accepting responsibility for his actions, and bearing the fruit of repentance. Subsequently, David was forced to flee from King Saul’s wrath on several occasions (1 Sam. 19:1-10).
Psalm 57, identified in some Bibles as a “Prayer for Safety from Enemies,” was penned by David to the Chief Musician, and poetically describes the occasion when he fled from Saul into the cave (1 Sam. 22:1-2).
Where was this cave in which David sought refuge? Adullam, which signifies a “sealed off place,” was in the Judean lowlands (Josh. 15:35), located five miles south of Beth-shemesh. David and his men repeatedly found refuge in this secluded place (cf. 2 Sam. 23:13; 1 Chron. 11:15).
Verse 1 says, “Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, For my soul takes refuge in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge Until destruction passes by.” David pleads for mercy in the face of a disaster over which he had no control. Although he felt like a helpless bird, David trusted that the danger would pass in God’s time and way.
Verse 2 says, “I will cry to God Most High, To God who accomplishes all things for me.” He affirms that nothing is beyond God’s power—as the Lord delivered the faithful in times past, He can do so in the present.
Verse 3 says, “He will send from heaven and save me; He reproaches him who tramples upon me. Selah. God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth.” David expresses his faith. Although Saul’s army pursued him on every side, David trusted in God’s mercy and was confident of His deliverance.
Verse 4 says, “My soul is among lions; I must lie among those who breathe forth fire, Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows And their tongue a sharp sword.” This is a declaration of danger. Like lions and sharp weapons, David’s enemies posed a perilous threat. Saul and his allies were seeking his destruction.
Verse 5 says, “Be exalted above the heavens, O God; Let Your glory be above all the earth.” All creation acknowledges and affirms God’s mercy! Although the heavens (i.e., the universe) is expansive beyond man’s comprehension, God is greater still.
Verse 6 says, “They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They dug a pit before me; They themselves have fallen into the midst of it. Selah.” The wicked seek to entrap the faithful but often ensnare themselves. According to 1 Samuel 24, Saul fell into his own trap when he visited a cave while searching for David without knowing David was in that very cave and could have killed him (though he spared him).
Verse 7 declares, “My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises!” This reminds us that David’s heart was steadfastly set on God. If our hope is fixed on God, we also can sing praises even in times of danger and distress.
Verse 8-11 concludes, “Awake, my glory! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations. For Your lovingkindness is great to the heavens And Your truth to the clouds. Be exalted above the heavens, O God; Let Your glory be above all the earth.” Even in the darkest hour, David praised God. As men say, “It is often darkest before the dawn.” The psalmist greeted each day with prayer and petition, pondering God’s precepts, and offering Him heartfelt praise. In like manner, we should greet the dawn with praises for deliverance! Start each day with spiritual reflection.
Satan sent sin to destroy us; God sent His Son to save us (Rom. 5:12, 21; Ps. 57:1). The devil is a relentless and ruthless foe, but God is greater. As Paul affirms, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Rom. 16:20).
Satan uses three avenues to destroy our love for God: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:15-17). Yet, the Lord offers a path of deliverance (Matt. 4:1-11) and promises a way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13; Ps. 57:1)
Satan uses family and friends who do not share our commitment to biblical truth to pressure us to compromise and shift our priorities away from worship toward worldliness (Matt. 10:34-39; Luke 12:51-53; Ps. 57:1).
In the past and present, God’s people faced physical suffering: Job, the prophets, Paul, and also contemporary Christians. While Satan exploits suffering to his evil ends, we can prevail over such trials by trusting in God (2 Cor. 12:7-10; Jas. 5:10-11; Ps. 57:1).
Satan attempts to deceive and destroy God’s people through false doctrine and corrupt religious systems (2 Cor. 11:3-4). Be aware and beware of the danger posed by the proponents of error. How can we triumph? By growing in faith and knowledge, defending the truth, and exposing error (Eph. 5:11-16; 2 Pet. 2:1-3; 3:17-18; Ps. 57:1)
Satan’s servants seek to shame us through false charges and psychological warfare; nevertheless, we prevail by remembering that we are not alone, and rejoicing in the glory that awaits (Matt. 5:10-12; 1 Pet. 4:12-14; Ps. 57:1).
Since the fall, death has been a constant fixture, an ever-present reality. Yet, when it strikes close to home, we sometimes cry, “Why me? Why mine?” Remember, defeat in death is temporary; victory in Christ is eternal (Isa. 25:6-8; 1 Cor. 15:51-57; Ps. 57:1).
In this study, we learn that David defeated danger by trusting God; we also overcome danger by trusting in Him. God delivers all who believe and obey. Consider the lyrics of “Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me,” first published by Edward Hopper in 1871.
Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me by Edward Hopper
Jesus, Savior, pilot me, Over life’s tempestuous sea; Unknown waves before me roll, Hiding rock and treach’rous shoal; Chart and compass came from Thee: Jesus, Savior, pilot me. As a mother stills her child, Thou canst hush the ocean wild; Boist’rous waves obey Thy will When Thou say’st to them, “Be still!” Wondrous Sov’reign of the sea, Jesus, Savior, pilot me. When at last I near the shore, And the fearful breakers roar ‘Twixt me and the peaceful rest, Then, while leaning on Thy breast, May I hear Thee say to me, “Fear not, I will pilot thee.”
Trust in the Lord. Do what you can to improve bad situations and restore broken relationships. David showed compassion toward King Saul, refusing to lift his hand against the Lord’s anointed (1 Sam. 24:1-22). In doing so, the son of Jesse heaped coals of fire upon Saul’s head, bringing him to a state of (temporary) repentance (Rom. 12:17-21).
Let us also recognize that the promise of deliverance is conditional. God delivered David because he trusted in God. Nonetheless, if we choose the path of rebellion, the Lord withdraws His favor. Sin alienates us from God (Isa. 59:1-2). Years later, the prophet Micah, warned the nation of Judah that their king would be forced to flee to the caves of Adullam to escape an enemy who would overrun and oppress them because of their sins (Mic. 1:13-16).
Christ saves us from the curse of sin, which is our greatest peril and worst danger. Therefore, let us trust Him, and submit to His will (Gal. 3:26-27).
Author Bio: Ron has worked with the Hebron Lane church of Christ in Shepherdsville, KY since August of 1997. David Dann and Ron labor together. Ron has made seventy-seven trips to the Philippines. He and Donna have three children and ten grandchildren. The church website is hebronlane.com. He can be reached at halbrook@twc.com.
