“I love You, O LORD, my strength.” The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:1–2)

The term “deliverance” occurs mostly in the book of Psalms and flows frequently from David’s writings. David was a man of action, but he was a wanted man, being number one on King Saul’s hit list. His posture was to not raise a finger against “the LORD’s anointed,” as he referred to Saul. Although David knew he had been anointed to be king in place of his nemesis, he was satisfied to bide his time until God removed him. His honor and respect for the position of kingship as an anointing from God compelled him to suffer many hardships, even fearing for his life.

One might think with super-spiritual thoughts that David lacked faith, for if God had promised him the kingdom, why would he fear for his life? Indeed, he spent much time on the run, even hiding in the caves of Adulum (1 Sam 22:1) and Engedi (1 Sam 23:29). This is similar to the question that if Jesus was truly God, how could the temptation in Gethsemane be a real struggle? Yet how else can we understand Jesus’ three-times prayer, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will” (Mark 14:36)? In the same context, He exhorts His disciples, “Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:38).

So likewise, David believed God’s promise and counted on it—and he fled from Saul and sought physical refuge in caves. Yet ultimately, his trust was not in caves, for nothing on earth can keep something hidden forever. Even as Saul inadvertently entered the very cave where David was hiding (1 Sam 24), David was discoverable despite his human efforts. In fact, David’s men saw that incident as proof that God had given Saul over to David for victory. However, David “delivered” Saul by sparing him of ambush in the very cave he had accidently stumbled upon. Such was the confidence David had in God his Deliverer, that he could spare the life of the one who was trying to murder him.

Like David, we can find ourselves today hemmed in by circumstances or people who would take advantage of us, walk over us, mistreat us or abuse us. We may feel chained to financial debt, emotional onslaughts, relationship oppressions or failures. But in faith, we can trust in God our Deliverer. He will never fail to deliver!

Lord, I trust You for my deliverance, for nothing can hem You in.