Read Psalm 57:1-11

All of us experience fear, doubt and uncertainty.

Then there are the heartbreaks and disappointments.  Sometimes we feel like we will never be able to escape them. Something goes awry with the family. There’s discouraging news from the doctor. We face one challenge after another at work. Thus the saying, “When it rains, it pours.”

David, who wrote this Psalm, was experiencing that kind of predicament, but much worse.  He was literally running for his life as his father-in-law, Saul, who was king at the time was trying to kill him.

In his distress, David openly and honestly cries out to God for help.  From this Psalm we too will learn how to call out to God in our time of need, but in a way that lifts our spirit before the Lord. Let’s use the acrostic C.A.L.L. to help us.

Confess your need. (vv. 1,4, 6)

Confessing is about agreeing to something. When I confess my need, I’m confessing my disappointment or heartache or discouragement to God. I open my heart and my soul to God. I agree that God is God, and I’m not.  Not only that, but that I need God’s mercy, comfort, care, and help.

Acknowledge God’s Person and purpose. (vv. 2, 3, 10)

God is unchanging.  The theological term for that is immutable. His character, being and essense never change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. That’s why He is described as our rock, our fortress, our ever-present help in time of trouble. His love, faithfulness, and compassion never change.  Troubles come and go.  Others may stay.  But God never changes.

And what’s more, God’s purposes will always prevail (Proverbs 19:21).  God’s plan and purpose for your life will be accomplished, in both good and bad times (Romans 8:28-39). You can count on it.

David chose not to sulk in his hardship, but to satisfy his heart by acknowledging God’s immutable Person and His loving purpose for his life.

Long to be faithful. (v. 7)

In the midst of the trial, David said, “My heart is steadfast, O God….” Elsewhere, David is described as a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14).  He both pursued God and allowed his heart to be secure in Him.  When life becomes challenging – maybe even debilitating – David encourages us to vocalize to God our steadfast pursuit of Him and our security in Him, to understand that we can “take refuge in the shadow of [His] wings until the disaster has passed” (v. 1c).

Lavish praise on Almighty God (vv. 5, 8-11)

Praise is the perfect antidote for discouragement. After we have confessed our need, acknowledged God’s Person and purpose, and affirmed our steadfast heart, we are perfectly positioned to lavish praise, which celebrates His great love, acknowledges His unwavering faithfulness, and exalts His impeccable glory. Praise lifts our heart, raises our perspective, and reminds us of our hope. When times are difficult, there is no substitute for praise from a heart that is aligned with God.

So the next time you are feeling down and discouraged, C.A.L.L. on God, because rest assured, God is at work and is worthy of our praise.

David Lawson