The Cry of a Heart // Psalm 142

“With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord. I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.

When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul.

I cry to you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.’ Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low! Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me!

Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name! The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me.”

— Psalm 142

Psalm 142 is a prayer of David's while hiding in a cave. David's was physical, but perhaps you've been in a proverbial cave before. Maybe even now. Because we all have our caves in life. That place in the darkness where we fell alone and afraid. David shows us how to respond when we find ourself in such a place.

In my Bible, I wrote out a progression I found in the Psalm a long time ago in my own cave. The progression goes like this:

1. Prayed

2. Cried Aloud

3. Poured Out

4. Trusted God

5. Longed for God's Presence

6. Confessed Need

7. Asked for Deliverance

8. Hoped

When in a cave, we often turn to prayer. This is, of course, a great place to turn to. Cry out to God, for He alone has the ability to turn your situation from turning to joy. He can bind up your broken heart! Don't be afraid to pour it all out to Him. God is a safe place--a refuge in time of trouble--that you can trust. Long to be in that safe place with Him--in His presence.

Once there, in that safe place in His sweet presence, confess your need and what you're going through. He's listening. And this is where it's ok to ask for deliverance from your situation. He probably won't create a shortcut or make it all go away, but if you ask Him to show up in your cave, He'll be there. And He will also get you through it. Have hope that He will come through for you!