Caving In Around You?

How often do you find your world caving in around you? It seems nothing is going right? Your friends seem to have become enemies? Life is dragging you down? All your dreams seem shattered? Maybe these things define your life right now?

King David found himself in a terrible predicament. 2 Samuel 15 tells us that David’s son, Absalom, rose up against him and encouraged the Israelites to do likewise. David’s royal officials warned him of the uprising and he encouraged him to run for his life.

As his world seemed to be caving in around him, David penned Psalm 3. He wrote: “Lord, how my foes increase! There are many who attack me. Many say about me, ‘There is no help for him in God’” (Psalm 3:1-2 HCSB). His life had turned into utter despair. He was running for his life, fearing the threats coming from his own son. What a horrible situation to find himself in!

Maybe you have been in a similar situation before—running to escape with your life, your reputation, your hope intact? Maybe you have searched frantically for a means of escape only to find none?

When his life seemed to be without hope, David remembered the One who could give him hope. He continued writing: “But You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head. I cry aloud to the Lord, and He answers me from His holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the Lord sustains me. I am not afraid of the thousands of people who have taken their stand against me on every side. Rise up, Lord! Save me, my God! You strike all my enemies on the cheek; You break the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the Lord; may Your blessing be on Your people” (vv. 3-8).

In the grave of hopelessness, David turned his eyes upward. He looked to God and placed his trust in Him for complete deliverance in the midst of his terrible crisis.

Today, whatever you may be facing; whatever life may be throwing at you; whatever lies and accusations others have concocted about you—you can trust that God will bring complete deliverance for you. It may not come in the way you would’ve planned it; but, it will come. Simply trust in God’s wisdom and ability to turn your caved-in world into a world of spiritual blessing.

Quit looking at what should’ve been and start dwelling on what God is doing right now. Focus on what He is trying to teach you through it all. Trust fully in His ability and know He will guide you to the place you need to be. He will strengthen you through the journey and bring you out refreshed and ready for the conflicts that will continue to rage around you—be ready to take on anything and everything in the power of His name.

Scripture Reading: “My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge, and a God who executes justice every day. If anyone does not repent, God will sharpen His sword; He has strung His bow and made it ready. He has prepared His deadly weapons; He tips His arrows with fire. See, he is pregnant with evil, conceives trouble, and gives birth to deceit. He dug a pit and hollowed it out, but fell into the hole he had made. His trouble comes back on his own head, and his violence falls on the top of his head. I will thank the Lord for His righteousness; I will sing about the name of the Lord, the Most High” (Psalm 7:10-17).

Personal Prayer: Father, my struggles have overwhelmed me. The attacks upon me have become almost unbearable. I don’t understand why people are so mean and so careless with their words and actions. Help me, Lord, to be able to look beyond the criticism, the hatred and the lies and to see that You are teaching me something new through all this. Help me to trust in You no matter what may come against me. Help me to be able to forgive those who have become my enemies and to love them through it all. I love You and thank You so much…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!