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Day 350

Psalm 142:3a "When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then You knew my path."

Day 350 – Psalm 142

“When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then You knew my path.” Psalm 142:3a

SUPERSCRIPTION: A contemplation of David. A Prayer when he was in the cave.

1. The superscription gives us the context of this psalm.

2. The reference to “the cave” would point to the time when David was running away from King Saul.

3. That was a fearful time for his life was in grave danger from being slain by Saul and his men.

THE THREAT OF BEING OVERWHELMED

No matter how brave a person may be, and David was courageous, there may be times when one may feel overwhelmed. Psalm 142 records a time when David had to fight terrible feelings of being overwhelmed by the circumstances of his life.

“I cry out to the LORD with my voice;
With my voice to the LORD I make my supplication.
I pour out my complaint before Him;
I declare before Him my trouble.
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.”
Psalm 142:1-3

1. “When my spirit was overwhelmed within me”

a) This must be recognized.
b) The troubles we face in life can cause us to feel overwhelmed.

2. Dealing effectively with such feelings

a) Crying out to the Lord in prayer is important.
b) Crying out to God with the physical voice is practical and helpful.
c) Pouring out all that we feel to the Lord is advisable.
i) Even if they may feel like complaints.
ii) Even if they are a rehearsing of troubles to the Lord.
d) Faith in God is vital

We must trust that God knows the path that we take. We must believe that He is in full comprehension and in full control of our life’s circumstances. This faith will keep us strong and steady.