David - Lessons On Depression

Ever felt prehistoric? A life reduced to grunts and groans? As one poet expressed it, 'life must go on . . . I just can't remember why'. A vicious swirl of getting up, going through the day and dropping into bed exhausted only to fall further behind instead of ahead? Trapped in a cave, David baby-sat four hundred fellow fugitives. That's his address in Psalm 142. From the cave of Adullam he looks up and discovers some great truths about God. So can we.

Cave times often slide in right after our victories as David discovered. As 'the hero' David toppled the #1 Villain of the hour (Goliath) and lived to tell about it (I Samuel 17). As 'Mr. Brave' David escaped an assassination attempt by Saul (I Samuel 19). As 'Mr. Clever' David acted his way out of the presence of the dreadful commander of the Philistines ( I Samuel 21). In our text we meet David running for his life, caring for his family and hosting all these malcontents.

Cave life yields great discoveries about God. David sings them in Psalm 142. Listen to the confessions of this caveman: 'Lord of Refuge, You are my Portion" ( v.5), 'O Listening One, hear my cry and Rescue me (v.6). My God who Provides the righteous to gather about me, You are Sufficient" (v. 7). How's your world? Caving in? Why not look out of your need and find the courage needed in the One David found sufficient!