Confidence in the Cave

"My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!" Psalm 57:7

It was from the darkness of a cave that David penned Psalm 57. As he hid from those who were hunting him, David cried out to God for mercy and protection knowing that God would rescue him. David could have chosen to allow fear to consume him. He could have questioned why God was allowing Saul to relentlessly pursue him. David could have given up and laid down in the oh so comfortable bed of self pity, but he chose not to. David acknowledged the reality of his circumstance but chose to focus on God instead. His cries for help were rooted in the knowledge that the One whom he cried to was bigger than his enemy. He called on God knowing that God was faithful and would fulfill His purpose in David’s life. In Psalm 57 verse 7, David sings, “My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!”

David was able to praise God in the darkness of a cave as he was fleeing for his life because he knew and trusted who God was. A few weeks ago I saw this clover growing in a cave in a rock wall. Unlike the blankets of other clovers I photographed that day, this was was growing all alone. Though sunlight would periodically reach it, the majority of the day it was in darkness. Where there should have been no life, this clover was growing as it stretched towards the light.

There have been times when I have found myself in what feels like a cave, moments when I have felt alone, hidden and hopeless. Unlike David I have allowed my feelings, emotions, or circumstances to steal my confidence. I’ve focused on the cave instead of the Creator, trading praise for panic, and joy for pouting. Unlike the clover, stretching toward the light, I have hid in the darkness of doubt and uncertainty. Yet, when I shift my focus towards the Light of Christ and cry out to my God Most High, trusting in who He says He is and knowing that He will fulfill his purpose, I too can find confidence in the cave as self pity turns to praise.

The Focal Point: When I look at this clover, I am reminded in the dark and lonely cave moments of life to shift my focus toward His Light, praise Him through darkness and find my confidence in God alone.