Church family,
David and his mighty men were on the run. A jealous Saul was after them and wanted David’s life. I’d say that it was a pretty stressful time for David and his men. 1 Samuel 24 records this account of them hiding from Saul in a cave. What seemed like a safe place, for a moment, became a place of potential danger.
This morning I read Psalm 57. This Psalm corresponds with 1 Samuel 24. What I find interesting is that in this moment of potential danger and uncertainty, David writes these words in verse 7, “My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! Awake my glory!” (ESV)
Having read through the Psalms over the years, I recall reading about the “steadfast love of the Lord.” Steadfast means ‘loyal, faithful, unchanging.’ The Lord’s steadfastness is always reassuring and comforting to me. No matter the situation I am facing, the Lord will be steadfast and faithful. Always there. Never changing.
But this morning when I was reading Psalm 57, verse 7 jumped off the page, “My heart is steadfast, O God…” Lest you think the scene was not that threatening, David includes these words, “My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts— the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords” (v. 4).
Pastor and author, Dane Ortlund makes this observation. David’s prayer in this Psalm “testifies that God is his cave: ‘In you my soul takes refuge'” (v. 1). Isn’t that a great picture? David and his men were not simply in the cave. God was their refuge. God was their cave.
If you continue reading in the Psalm, you will see that David chose to be steadfast in the Lord. He began calling on the Lord but as the Psalm goes on, he looked to and praised the Lord. He gives God the praise that He is due. Even in the moment of danger. He chooses to remain steadfast in God who he knows is greater than the enemy that may threaten him.
Reflect on these scriptures. Take comfort and praise our Father who is always faithful. As a child of God, you are in Christ! Let your heart be steadfast in Him.
Walking with you,
Pastor Brian