How does your relationship with God impact
the way you deal with difficult times (midnights) in your life?

When David was on the run from King Saul, one of his hiding places was in the Cave of Adullam near Judah (modern-day Israel). David presumably wrote several Psalms there – 34, 57, 142. Our key verse: “Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn” (Ps 57:8) followed cries for mercy. David talks here of taking refuge in the shadow of God’s wings until the disaster has passed. Taking shelter in a cave was his physical hiding place, but spiritually, David sought refuge under God’s protective wings.

When you feel afraid and want to hide in your home, bed, or mancave, do you also seek spiritual protection under God’s wings? David said, “I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me” (v 2). For emphasis, David repeats who he is crying out to—not just “God,” but “God Most High.” Then “God” again. Only the Most High God can rescue him from his plight, and David knew that God would use what he was learning to fulfill his life’s purpose.

We know that God used this time in David’s life to train him to become king. At age 12-15, David was anointed by Samuel for kingship, but it wasn’t until 15-18 years later, when David was 30, that he wore the crown. During his time of suffering through trials and waiting on God, he was trained by the Most High God to prepare him to lead the Israelites.

David’s enemies (Saul and his army), hunted David as if he were a savage beast, but they fell into the pit that they had plotted for him (v 6). Satan didn’t let up. Saul didn’t let up. Saul’s army didn’t let up. But David lit up!

“My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.” 

Isn’t it often at (mid)night that we contemplate our situation, which keeps us awake? Have you ever welcomed the morning in song before it welcomed you? How can you follow David’s example when you feel threatened? The threat hadn’t gone away, but something in David changed. As you read through Psalm 57, what do you observe happened to turn David from crying out to singing? How did he find hope? What motivated him to praise God? (57:9–11).

God has a purpose for you. He uses trials to train and prepare you for that purpose. If David, Job, Hagar, Ruth, Deborah, Moses, Abraham, and Joseph all endured trials to fulfill God’s purpose, he certainly has a plan for you! Draw close under his protective wings, wait on him, sing and praise him even in the midst of your trials, awaken the dawn in worship to the Most High God. He has not abandoned you; he is drawing you into a dependent, abiding relationship with him. The point of any trial is relationship—will it draw you closer to him? He loves and adores you; that alone should make your heart sing in your midnights.

Darci J. Steiner is the author of the award-winning biblically-based book Beauty Beyond the Thorns: Discovering Gifts in Suffering. She began writing as a way to process her pain after becoming disabled. Darci writes to encourage others always to hold on to hope. Darci is an author, inspirational speaker, and nutritionist. She loves spending time with her husband, two adult daughters, and baby granddaughter. Please visit www.darcijsteiner.com to learn about her books and speaking details.

Image by  Copilot