In a Lonely Dark Cave
Ps 142
INTRO: King’s David’s circumstances & emotions
A. David has been promised good things, but hasn’t received them yet
1. Been ordained of God by the Prophet Samuel He is to be
King of all Israel
a. to have power, influence. Wealth, life of comfort, servants
b. What would t be like to be King?
1. Ring a bell for a drink of milk, of piece of cake
2. People bow before you 3. You speak, people JUMP!
4. Your enemies fear!
c. Wouldn’t it be nice to be king?
2. For nearly 20 years he has had the promise
a. one day David will be king! David will be King
1. Not a pipe dream, not wishful thinking, but a Promise of God
3. But…. Saul is still king, not only that, Saul is MAD
a. Anything sets him off, needs anger management
1. Thrown spears at any body that upsets him David even own son
Jonathon
4. Now Saul is so mad, & jealous about
B. The next king is on the run like a criminal
1. How depressing is that?
2. David isn’t living in a Palace with servants waiting on him
hand and foot
a. He is in the dessert with a band of over 400 people
1. Many if not all were, dead beats, (in debt & running from their
responsibilities of paying bills) discontents, (complainers, gripers,
fault finders) motley bunch, not an army but David is their leader
running from Saul
3. We come to the current situation of the Psalm, David is so
close to being caught by Saul.
a. He has to hide in a cave (1 of 2 possible events David was
in a cave
1. 1Sam 22 the cave of Adullum (that is when the 400 came to join up)
a. As bad as things were, was going to get worse
2. More than likely the events found in 1 Sam 24:1-3 The cave near
En-gedi
4. Living like a wild animal running scared for the hunter
a. But one last degrading thing for us to note
b. v3 Saul went in to cover his feet ( that isn’t to sleep)
1. Saul doesn’t remain in the cave. Cause he was using for a latrine,
2. David is hiding out in, might say, the royal Porta Potty
I. David’s condition v1
A. Dark Days:
1. All that he thought would be good in his life hasn’t
happened
a. Dreams look broken
b. Promises of God even seem hollow, distant & worthless
2. Dark, black hopeless
3. His future and condition was as dark as the cave he was in.
**Been in a cave. **Alabaster’s Cavern near Freedom OK
Walk ½-¾ miled under ground. Midway. They turn out all
the light. Perfect blackness. Not one particle of light
4. He doesn’t have any idea of what is ahead, He doesn’t know
that Saul will be killed by the Philistines in a short while
a. Therefore he will be crowned the king of Israel after all
B. Dangerous times
1. Saul is after his head, if caught, could die
2. His situation is as bleak as a heart can see
C. Deserted
1. Lonely: (what about those 400?) are they his friends?
a. Do they really care for his soul? They each have their
ulterior motives
2. Forsaken, alone, hopeless, helpless in danger
II. David’s Cry v2-6
A. Dissatisfied v2 Don’t like it
1. Dissatisfied with life, with your lot in life
a. Don’t like or appreciate the way you’ve been treated
b. It isn’t going the way planned, expected or desired
c. I hate this, This Sucks!
2. That is what David is telling God
a. Shocked? Not suppose to do that? Why?
Php 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
1. Don’t be anxious or worrisome natural to fear/worry
a. Answer take it to Jesus!
b. Turn the worry to Praise, gratitude, change of attitude
b. Is God big enough to handle our complaints?
1. Small God if can’t. think our problems are too big for him?
a. The God who set all the natural laws of thermodynamics, nature, &
science & mathematics on course
c. Complaining is a sign of our lack of faith but of our faith
1. We know he can handle it & he loves us enough to hear us
1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
2. Casting ALL your care (concerns/ complaints)
3. v5 Is David’s declaration of faith
a. The Lord is the object of his faith
b. Chosen “my Portion” *Love that description
1. God of all the banquet table of choices in life. I choose you to satisfy
my soul & every need
B. v6 Cries for deliverence “Help! Save me!”
1. Remind of anything? *Peter sinking Mt 14:30 “Lord save me!”
a. If it isn’t right to cry out, to admit out problems to God
1. Peter would have drowned
2. Like the Publican in the Temple, “Lord be merciful me a sinner”
a. or the Thief on the cross, “Lord remember when thou comest into thy kingdom’
3. Each was a cry of desperation, of need.
a. Troubles were over whelming that they could not handle
them self. Only the Lord could manage for them.
4. David was confident God would come to his rescue
a. Are you?
III. David’s Confidence v7
A. How do you express confidence in the midst of pain,
heartache, troubles, trials?
1. Ask God to Help have not because ye ask not
2. Commitment to Praise His name! don’t make false promises
a. Get me out & I’ll live for you, I’ll give all my money to
charity or give my first born
1. We can’t live for Him or give anything that is bribery, that is trying
to buy God off
b. But glorify Him as He deserves. “that I may praise thy name
1. We can’t live for Him or give to Him till we learn to praise Him
3. Change things, those 400 complainers, scoundrels
a. the righteous shall compass me about
b. Changing friends, get some positive influencers
1. All this negative stuff they put out only hurts us more
2. The righteous are a positive people, why? HOPE!
a. Their hope is in the Lord Ps 71:5 For thou [art] my hope, O Lord GOD: [thou art] my trust from my youth.
4. Have assurance that God Hears, God answers Prayer & will
do us right. God is Gracious Mt 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Ps 86:5 For thou, Lord, [art] good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
a. Deal bountifully with me: not that David was worthy
1. But that God is Gracious
