SCRIPTURE: Psalm 142
“Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.” (Psalm 142:7)
David is literally in a dark place (a cave), but also figuratively (desperate).
He is feeling weak, vulnerable, overwhelmed, scared, doomed, trapped, defeated.
I like how he prays for a testimony: ‘save me, so that others may see it and be encouraged.’
Usually when we’re in such a dark place, we’re only thinking of ourselves.
I know an alcoholic (now sober for over 20 years) who was in a dark place.
Did she know that one day her life and testimony would be used to bless many others?
She is a faithful AA supporter and encourager of those who struggle.
She quickly credits God’s grace for her deliverance, and spreads that grace to others.
Could my life testimony be used to set others free, to encourage others who struggle?
My ‘cave’ is not a tough life, but self-reliance, religion, the illusion of an easy life.
Some of you may not realize the burden of this, but to those who do, you get it!
Save me from my apathy, my lukewarmness, my hollow religion, they are soul deadening!
Revive my soul I can praise You, and others will gather about me because of Your goodness to me.
What do you need to be saved from… and who can be encouraged through your testimony?
“Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” (Mark 5:10)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I feel the need to be saved from my own cave. I want my life to be an encouragement to other lukewarm people, that God will ignite the fire in their hearts too. Shine Your light in my cave, that others may see it!