Alone but for the Lord

Psalm 142
Sooner or later we experience a time when we are convinced we are all alone. No one seems to understand or care. No one seems to be inquiring as to how things are going. No one seems to be paying attention or even aware of what is happening to us. It is at these times when it becomes too easy to give up and run away, if only in the imagination. These times seem to get worse if another person is involved; another person who, for some reason, seems out to get us. And maybe they do want to see us fail or get hurt somehow. It is remarkable how professing believers can sometimes treat each other; even in vicious ways. If one is in a leadership position of some sort, as was David, it can even seem to be lonelier. No one really understands what is happening. Times like this have a way of clarifying what is really important and how being tied to this life is so empty. We really do feel like we are all alone and doubt it will get better. The context of this psalm probably is when David was fleeing from King Saul. But when he was hiding in this cave he was not alone; friends were with him and his family has just visited him. Yet the situation was desperate enough to help him see how little people could really help him. He felt alone in the midst of a crowd. Maybe he could have slipped out and ran away as fast and far as he could and start a new life in a new place with new people. But what would he have done the next time he found himself experiencing that loneliness again? We can run away but what is going on in our heart still goes with us. He could have spent the rest of his life running away to new places and new relationships. But he would never have learned what he learned here. He cries out to God in his loneliness and desperation. The word actually means he was praying in a loud voice. He was truly desperate and no one could help him. He begs for God (literally an inferior asking a superior to stoop to show pity) to help him. This cannot be the first time he prayed for the context reveals he already had a relationship with the Lord. He knows God is very aware of his life (v. 3), that God cares (literally one who is regularly pursuing David), who does understand and is a safe refuge. So that is where he camps out; before the presence of the One who truly can help him. He learned God is his portion; his truest satisfaction. And when God answered with comfort to prove He does understand and care, God sent His people to David in His place. The people around David at the time did not seem to understand and care, but there were people who did. Those are the people to hang around for it is through people who truly love Him that God shows His love and comfort. The people that came with God’s arms, voice, and heart did so for they saw God was working in David’s life and David was not trying to run away from God. Instead, they saw him running to the God who was pursuing him. David’s situation did not immediately change, but David did. He learned the Lord was always with him to care and help. This is a good passage to memorize in order to reflect on in those times of loneliness for God does mediate His presence through His Word.