Read 1 Samuel 22:3-23; Psalm 34; Psalm 57

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

Wake up, my heart! Wake up, O lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song.

I will thank you, LORD, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations.

For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. (Psalm 57:7–10)

We looked at Psalm 142. Now let’s look at two others David wrote, Psalms 57 and 34. We don’t know in what order he wrote these, but looking at his life, they seem to fit in this backward order—Psalm 142 when he was at his lowest moment on his face, Psalm 57 when he’s on his knees, and finally Psalm 34 when he’s back on his feet.

At this point, David is on his knees. He’s still down, but at least he’s looking up.

See where David’s eyes are now? “O God, You be exalted.” In Psalm 142 he’s saying, “I’m in the cave, I’m at the end, there’s no one on the right hand or left. I have no one who cares.” And now in Psalm 57 he says, “Now you be gracious to me, God. I’m stretched, I’m pulled beyond my limits. Please meet my needs.” He’s crying out his declaration of dependence.

Why did such a major change take place in David’s life and attitude?

First, because David hurt enough to admit his need. When you are hurting, you need to declare it to someone, and especially to the Lord. David hurt enough to admit his need.

Second, he was honest enough to ask for help. We have lived under such a veneer for so long in our generation that we hardly know how to ask for help. But God honours such vulnerability. He did then, and He does now.

And third, he was humble enough to learn from God. How tragic it is that we can live in one cave after another and not learn what God wants to teach us. Not David! I love the man’s utter humility. If it is to be a cave, then let’s not fight it. We’ll turn it into a training ground for the future!

As I look at this time in David’s life, I cannot help but reflect upon Jesus and His coming from the glories of heaven to accept a bunch of malcontents and sinners like us.

Taken from Great Days with the Great Lives by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2005 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of HarperCollins Christian Publishing.