Cave Days

December 20

(Psalm 142:1-7 NIV) “A maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer. I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. {2} I pour out my complaint before him; before him I tell my trouble. {3} When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who know my way. In the path where I walk men have hidden a snare for me. {4} Look to my right and see; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life. {5} I cry to you, O Lord; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living." {6} Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. {7} Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.”

(Psalm 13:1-3 NIV) “For the director of music. A psalm of David. How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? {2} How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? {3} Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death…”

When you are hiding in a cave, “Peace on Earth and good will to men” won’t likely connect with your fainting spirit. When no one is concerned for you -- when no one hears your complaint, “Joy to the World” makes no sense. When it seems like no one cares whether you live or die, being of “good cheer” can feel impossible. There are folks around us this Christmas season who are in need... not for toys and gifts, but for hope and love. The cave where they hide is so dark that “merry and bright” is a foreign concept. Their days are filled with loneliness and depression, rather than with peace and joy. They cannot see out of their windowless prisons. Their hearts are blind to the light of Christmas. They desperately need the love of God. Believer, the Light of the world lives in you. The love of God has been given to you. They are yours to give away this Christmas. Be a giver. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day