David, the Cave Man

David was a great king. But before he became king, he was a fugitive. He wrote at least two psalms about his stay in a cave while running from king Saul.

The sermon this evening was on Psalm 142

Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave.

• 1 ¶ I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.
  
• 2 I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.
  
• 3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.
  
• 4 ¶ I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
  
• 5 I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
  
• 6 Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
  
• 7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.
  

Pastor Rod Clay preached an alliterated sermon with four points, plus application.

We see in Psalm 142 David's

1. Plea, verses 1-3a. David dares to complain to YHWH! He pours out his soul to God.
   
2. Plight, verses 3b-4. He was all alone, and nothing seemed to be going his way.
   
3. Portion, verses 5-6a. Whereas no earthly shelter, especially not a cave, could protect him, he knew that YHWH was his refuge. God was all he needed in this world.
   
4. Prospect, verses 6b-7. Since David now saw that God would save him, he had a whole new outlook on life.
   

My professors in seminary discouraged alliteration because it can often be contrived. This time, though, it works well. Check out Rod's sermons at http://natejohnson.biz/spcsermons