How to Find Hope in a Scary Situation (Psalm 57) by Dave Bechtel

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1. Review the background of this Psalm by answering the following:
a. Who wrote this Psalm? David
b. What was the situation? (1 Sam 22:1) He is hiding from Saul in a cave.
c. What had happened previously? (1 Sam 18:10-11, 19:10)David’s specific hiding situation involved the powerful ruler of the nation of Israel, king Saul. This guy was not merely looking through a window but was actually trying to kill David. In fact, Saul had tried to murder David before on a couple of occasions, throwing a spear at him when David was playing the harp for Saul. In both of those situations the Scriptures tell us that Saul was attempting to “pin David to the wall” (I Sam. 18:10-11; 19:10). After the second such event David fled from his home and, employing a sequence of lies and deceit, found himself trying to hide out in Gath, the Philistine hometown of the giant he had killed, named Goliath. As we know or might imagine, that didn’t work out. David escaped that danger with more deceitful behavior (I Sam. 21:12-15). Finally, David got back into communion with the Lord. We read his confession and cry for help in Psalm 56. Our psalm, Psalm 57, was written immediately after those events, when David had returned to the land of Israel and was now hiding “under the covers” in a cave.

2. Read Psalm 57 and answer the following:
a. What refuge physically is he seeking? David is hiding to avoid being killed by King Saul
b. What spiritual refuge is he seeking? Once David took the step of repentance he then sought God’s protection and comfort
c. What in this passage shows he can depend on God? His sovereignty and purpose (vs 2) God’s steadfast love (vs. 3 & 10)
d. Look at verse 5 and 11. Why are they a repeat of each other? David is reminding himself of who God is and the power he has; When we face difficulty we too need to review who God is. Also it is a song - and this is the chorus, giving it greater importance.

3. When is it appropriate to hide? When is it not? (Acts 9:22-25, Heb 11:23, Matt 4:5-7)

He has promised to protect us from danger, but at the same time He has delegated to us some responsibility in those situations too. He expects us to employ the other resources He has given us as well as depending on His care. Therefore, on many occasions, like when Saul is chasing us, when the tornado is coming our way, when the Spirit and the wisdom of God’s Word instruct us accordingly, we take refuge. The predisposition we have to protect ourselves in the material world is a God-given instinct. When a wife’s physical well-being is in danger from a dangerous husband, when a child’s life is threatened, when the weather forecasters predict dangerous storms, seeking refuge away from the danger, “in a cave” we could say, is the action of the wise. God’s Spirit and the wisdom He grants can help guide us to physical safety. But that’s not the only or even the main thing that our hearts need when we’re in a scary situation. As we’ll see, nothing will change in David’s outward circumstances, but his heart will find hope because he takes refuge in something more than an earthly cave. He takes refuge in God.

(The promises the Lord has made to us to deliver us from danger don’t include throwing ourselves off cliffs and “trusting” that He will save us. And we don’t pray with an attitude like “bring the dangers on, I can handle them”. We pray, “Lord, deliver us from testing!” (Matt. 6:13))

Sometimes we don’t hide. Jesus didn’t hide from the cross. Paul didn’t hide from a multitude of beatings and other tough situations. Sometimes the Spirit and God’s Word will tell us not to hide from a coming danger but to stand up against it. If God has called us to stand up in a given situation, any potential danger will not deter us.

4. Is there any way in which this Psalm gives you hope? answers will vary
Break into gender groups and discuss the following.
5. Are you in a scary or difficult situation now? How could you take refuge? What do you need to review? What could you rejoice about? (Hint: see sermon outline.)

Look back over the “R” progression. Our Lord, through these words from David, answers the question we all ask when the dark shadow of danger looms in our window. “What should we do?” Here’s what we should do: take refuge, review the situation and apply God’s truth to it, rejoice in the Lord. The hope is that group members won’t spend most of their time reviewing their troubles, but will focus on God’s truth and how to apply it to their situation.

6. In the sermon Pastor Dave talked about lions and gave us 3 applications. Can you recall the application for a “lion,” “man,” and “disciple?” Which apply to you? How?

1/ lions (you know who you are). Use your God-given strength as God intended it to be employed, to bless and protect and lead, not to bite and consume.

(A lion is a picture of leadership, strength, aggressiveness, power, and boldness. Those God-given assets can be used for the good of others or for their harm. In the Scripture there are two meta-lions, one who uses his strength and aggressiveness for good and one for evil. Some people have lion-like personalities (emotional and social characteristics). Some people have lion-like physical attributes. Those gifts, like all gifts, are meant to be used to serve others. In the case of lions, God desires such people to use those assets to protect, defend, and lead others, especially those who are weaker.)

2/ Men: not all of us are lions by personality, but all of us who are married are called to lead our families. In the power of the Spirit sometimes you’ll be called on to put on the lion suit.

3/ Disciples. Regardless of our personalities, in the power of the Holy Spirit we will be bold.
7. What’s your Bible reading plan? What have you recently read that you need to apply? How can the group help? answers will vary