From the Back of the Caregiver's Cave

 Since yesterday, I've just kept my mind in Psalm 57. Verse one of this psalm has been a life scripture that has anchored my soul over the years. I still declare that I will trust God and stay in the shelter of His wings for refuge in life's calamities. One thing I have always loved about David was that he was not afraid or ashamed to share his emotions. He is very clear in this psalm that his soul is "among lions" and he is under attack. 

David talks about crying to God and asking Him to save his soul. But he always comes back around to his declarations. Most of his psalms have declarations of some sort. He shares how he feels. He reminds himself of who God is and what He's done. He declares how he is going to trust God.

Picture David sitting in the back of a dark, dank cave. He is running for his life. He has a few of his "mighty men" with him. Maybe they are trying to encourage him - maybe they are just supporting him by sitting there with him. He can't build a fire or he would chance being spotted. He has no musical instrument with him since he can't carry his harp and his sword. Lol. 

David is soon to be king - but it sure doesn't look like it or feel like it in the back of the cave. While David is pouring out his soul, he shifts and begins to declare in verses 7-9:

• I will sing and give praise! 
• I will awaken the dawn!
• I will praise You, O Lord!
• I will sing to You, O Lord!

In one of his darkest moments, he begins to praise God. Why? Well, he said God was his refuge (v.1). He said he was going to cry out to God who would answer him (v.2). He mentioned that he knew God would send His mercy and truth to him (v.3). In short - he trusted God while sitting right there in the back of the cave. We can do that too.

Today, I'll remind myself that God is present in the caregiver's cave with me. It's never too dark, too damp, or too disgusting for Him. He just keeps hanging out with me. My meditations will be on this psalm and how God continues to be my refuge. God won't let me set there alone. He will bring His peace, grace, mercy, and truth to provide me company! I think I can trust Him for one more day. Will you join us?

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31 Days in Psalm 31. I found myself returning to that Psalm over and over. It brought so much encouragement and I found so many scriptures that were meditation-worthy, I decided it was a good topic. David wrote this psalm while in a cave hiding from Saul. Since much of my caregiving life feels like it's lived in a cave (we talk about the caregiver's cave a lot!), it seemed appropriate. You can get a Kindle or print version in my Amazon bookstore. Or you can download an eBook from my DFM bookstore.