Text: Psalm 18:1, 3-6

Though Saul had tried to kill him, David did not list the king as an enemy in the opening of his song. Why? Because the king-to-be had recognized God’s anointing on Saul (cf. 1 Samuel 24:5, 6). But even though David maintained the right perspective regarding his king, it did not change how Saul’s actions made him feel “on the inside.”

Look again at the words David used to describe his circumstances (Psalm 18:4, 5 ESV, italics mine):

1. The cords of death encompassed me;
2. the torrents of destruction assailed me;
3. the cords of Sheol entangled me;
4. the snares of death confronted me

It’s one thing to be confronted by an obvious adversary who is out to destroy you; it’s another matter to be assailed by destructive torrents from one who is in authority over you, be it at work or play. And it is even more distressing within the family, whether personal or church. In all honesty I believe our greatest challenges as Christians come from those we may least have expected the trial to come from.

Think of how Peter’s denial had to bruise our Lord’s heart as their eyes met through the crowd that faithful night (cf. Luke 22:61); and John Mark’s turmoil following his departure from Paul in Pamphylia only to have Paul leave him behind later on (cf. Acts 13:13, Acts 15:38). And though these incidents may not compare to David’s years on the run, the point is clear: Regardless of circumstance, our Lord knows how we feel in our distress—whether it is life-threatening or threatening our Life—and He will hear as we call upon our God!

Today you may not be walking in the sandals of David, but you can easily identify with the verbs of his circumstances—cry again to your God, the One whose attributes you acknowledged yesterday in so many ways. Believe that He has heard your prayer. Now allow the Holy Spirit to direct your prayer for a friend or loved one who is entangled by the cords of Sheol, and prayer for their deliverance unto salvation.