Tunnel vision

Meditation on Psalm 142 by Pastor David McFarland

My eyes adjust to the darkness that envelops me. I peer ahead and see only a deepening gloom. A hollow echo reverberates from the mysterious depths beyond. I reach out to left and right and feel only rough unyielding rock. It seems such a short time ago that I enjoyed the sunshine but now I shiver in the pervading coldness. I am trapped. There is no escape.

I turn and look back. Only in that direction is there any light but even there I face danger and death. The path of my life has brought me to this cave and I am afraid.

I remember the paths of former years; they took me through green pastures and beside still waters. All were pleasant paths. I also travelled some painful paths; in the darkness of the valley and through some difficult situations when the enemy was close. But I was confident that goodness and mercy would follow me all the days of my life.

But here I am now in a cave. I never expected this when I sang "The Lord is my Shepherd". "My spirit grows faint." "I am in desperate need." Where can I turn?

"I cry to you, O Lord; You are my refuge.... It is You who knows my way."

Some paths are so difficult and dark that no way out can be seen. But true faith will always see a vision of a sovereign, faithful God and be strengthened, not shattered. The one who trusts in God can be sure, even in the deepest caves of life, that He knows our path and will turn the cave into a tunnel."Set me free from my prison that I may praise your Name".

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. Look on my right hand and see, for there is no one who acknowledges me; Refuge has failed me; no one cares for my soul. I cried out to You, O LORD: I said, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living. Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low; deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Your name; the righteous shall surround me, for You shall deal bountifully with me." NKJV

Be sure to read all of Psalm 142