"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE OVERWHELMED"
Psalm 142:1 A Prayer when he was in the cave.>> I cry out to the LORD with my voice; With my voice to the LORD I make my supplication.
Psalm 142:2 I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble.
Psalm 142:3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Then You knew my path. In the way in which I walk They have secretly set a snare for me.
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions, and a prayer:
These verses are taken from a Psalm written by David, when he was in grave danger, and was hiding in a cave from his enemies. There is much to learn when we feel we are in similar circumstances.
1. You can pray when you are in trouble.
Psalm 142:1 A Prayer when he was in the cave.>> I cry out to the LORD with my voice; With my voice to the LORD I make my supplication.
A cave seems like a strange place to pray. Except, it was not for David. He was hiding, and therefore he had no other choice. In fact, we can pray in caves, out in the open, behind closed doors, in church, in our cars, in the shower, in bed, etc, etc. But, in this case it was an extreme situation. David not only prayed, but he "cried out to the Lord with his voice. He didn't just think, but he spoke, and He made known His supplication to the Lord.
And, that's exactly what we can do also. Just talk to the Lord and tell Him all that is on your mind.
2. You can pour out your complaint to the Lord, and let Him know of all your troubles.
Psalm 142:2 I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble.
This is an interesting picture, "pour out my complaint" We think of a pitcher that we take and tilt and in doing so, we are emptying the contents right out of the pitcher. David was emptying His hearts trouble to God. His complaints were not just going out into the air, or on the ground, but, they were going before God, or into the ears and heart of His God.
Another thing David says, is that He "declared before Him my troubles" This means, that David was very being specific about what was going on in His life. He was telling God in great detail all of his troubles, enumerating them one by one. And, God was listening.
3. When you are overwhelmed, remember, God knows, and God will help you.
Psalm 142:3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Then You knew my path. In the way in which I walk They have secretly set a snare for me.
Here's how it reads in the NLT For I am overwhelmed, and you alone know the way I should turn. Wherever I go, my enemies have set traps for me.
David was truly overwhelmed. He could not take it anymore. But, he knew that God knew all about it, and he knew that God would show him what to do. David needed God's direction, because his enemies were all around him. they are setting traps for David. But, God was calling upon God.
Some questions:
1. Are you by any chance in a similar situation today, as David was in this Psalm?
2. David sets a good example for you to follow.
3. Is there anything you need to cry out to God about today?
4. Can you remember a time when You did cry out, and God helped you?
A prayer:
Father, thank You for these beautiful Psalms. They always have something to say to our hearts and lives.
We love You so much Lord.
Help us to follow this great example of David. In Jesus name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
