Finding Refuge and Exalting God in Crisis
Summary
Psalm 57 gives us a window into David’s heart as he hides in a cave, surrounded by danger and uncertainty. Rather than focusing on the chaos and threats around him, David instinctively turns to God, seeking refuge “in the shadow of your wings.” His first response is not to strategize or to despair, but to cry out for mercy and to declare his trust that God will act. Even as he describes his soul as being “in the midst of lions” and “fiery beasts,” David’s confidence in God’s steadfast love and faithfulness is unwavering. He knows that God will not only save him, but will do so in a way that reveals God’s glory to the world.
David’s refrain—“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!”—is more than a song; it’s a declaration of purpose. The highest calling for humanity and all creation is to glorify God, to recognize and proclaim that He is greater than anything else we might fear, desire, or depend upon. This is not just a theological idea, but a practical reality: what we turn to in times of trouble, what we dwell on in our thoughts, and what we prioritize in our lives all reveal what we truly exalt.
The psalm challenges us to examine where we instinctively turn when life unravels. Do we look to ourselves, to others, to institutions, or to God? When we allow our trials, fears, or even our hopes for certain outcomes to consume us, we risk exalting those things above God. David’s example is to dwell more on God’s goodness than on the threats he faces, to let God’s faithfulness and love be the anchor of his soul.
Ultimately, David’s hope points beyond his own deliverance to the greater steadfast love God would reveal in Jesus Christ. The cross is the ultimate demonstration of God sending out His steadfast love and faithfulness—not just to rescue us from earthly trouble, but to save us from sin and bring us into His family. Our response, then, is continual repentance and faith: turning away from lesser things and turning toward Jesus, exalting Him above all else. In our worship, our priorities, and even in our suffering, we are called to echo David’s refrain, letting God’s glory be seen in all the earth.
Key Takeaways
- True Refuge Is Found in God Alone
David’s instinct in crisis is to seek refuge in God, not in his own strength or in the help of others. This challenges us to examine our own reflexes in trouble—do we turn first to God, or to ourselves and our resources? The security David experiences is not based on changed circumstances, but on the unchanging character of God. Real safety is found not in the absence of danger, but in the presence of the One who is steadfast in love and faithfulness. [21:50]
- What We Dwell On Reveals What We Exalt
The focus of our thoughts and anxieties often exposes what we truly value and trust. When our minds are consumed by our problems, we inadvertently give them more weight and importance than God Himself. David models a different pattern: he spends more time meditating on God’s goodness than on the threats against him, reminding us that worship is not just about singing, but about what occupies our hearts and minds. [39:41]
- Glorifying God Means Dethroning Lesser Things
To exalt God is to recognize His supreme worth above all else, which necessarily means refusing to give ultimate importance to anything else—be it our own abilities, other people, or even our fears and desires. Sin, at its core, is the exaltation of something other than God. The call to glorify God is a call to continual repentance, turning away from the idols of our hearts and re-centering our lives on Him. [27:27]
- God’s Steadfast Love Is Most Fully Revealed in Christ
David’s deliverance from Saul was only a shadow of the greater salvation God would accomplish in Jesus. The cross is the ultimate sending forth of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness, rescuing us not just from earthly enemies but from sin and death itself. Our hope is anchored not in our ability to be faithful, but in God’s faithfulness to us, demonstrated once and for all in Christ. [44:42]
- Repentance and Faith Are Ongoing, Not One-Time Acts
The Christian life is marked by a continual turning away from sin and a turning toward Jesus. We are prone to forget, to drift, and to exalt other things, but God calls us back again and again to remember His love and to place our trust in Him. Communion is a tangible reminder of this ongoing need to remember, repent, and believe, proclaiming Christ’s death and resurrection until He comes. [50:48]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[18:10] - David’s Cave: The Setting of Psalm 57
[19:08] - Reading Psalm 57
[20:28] - David’s Request and Response
[21:50] - Refuge in the Shadow of God’s Wings
[23:32] - Exalting God Above All
[25:07] - The Glory of God and Our Purpose
[27:27] - Sin as Exalting Lesser Things
[28:36] - God’s Deliverance and David’s Steadfast Heart
[30:58] - Echoes of the Lord’s Prayer
[33:32] - Who Do You Turn to in Trouble?
[39:41] - What We Dwell On and Glorify
[42:28] - Priorities and the Things We Exalt
[44:42] - The Fulfillment of God’s Love in Christ
[50:48] - Repentance, Faith, and Remembering Through Communion
[55:53] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Psalm 57 – Exalting God in the Cave
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### Bible Reading
- Psalm 57 (main text)
- Matthew 6:9-10 (“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”) [30:58]
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (Paul’s words about communion and remembering Christ) [50:48]
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### Observation Questions
1. In Psalm 57, what images does David use to describe his situation and his trust in God? (e.g., “in the midst of lions,” “in the shadow of your wings”) [19:08]
2. What is the repeated refrain in Psalm 57, and where does it appear in the psalm? [23:32]
3. According to the sermon, what is the first thing David does when he is in trouble? [20:28]
4. In Matthew 6:9-10, what does Jesus teach his followers to pray for regarding God’s name and God’s will? [30:58]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does David choose to focus on God’s steadfast love and faithfulness instead of the dangers around him? What does this reveal about his view of God? [21:50]
2. The sermon says that what we dwell on reveals what we exalt. How does this idea challenge the way we think about our worries and priorities? [39:41]
3. The refrain “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!” is described as more than a song. What does it mean for this to be a declaration of purpose for David—and for us? [23:32]
4. How does the sermon connect David’s hope for deliverance to the greater hope found in Jesus Christ? [44:42]
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### Application Questions
1. When you face trouble or uncertainty, what is your first instinct—do you turn to God, yourself, or something/someone else? What does that reveal about where you find refuge? [35:17]
2. Think about a recent situation where you felt overwhelmed. What did you spend most of your time thinking about: the problem, possible solutions, or God’s character and promises? How might you shift your focus next time? [39:41]
3. The sermon says that we can exalt things like our own abilities, other people, or even our fears and desires above God. What is one “lesser thing” you are tempted to give too much importance to? How can you begin to “dethrone” it this week? [42:28]
4. David’s confidence was not in changed circumstances but in God’s unchanging character. Is there an area of your life where you are waiting for circumstances to change before you feel secure? What would it look like to find security in God instead? [21:50]
5. The cross is described as the ultimate demonstration of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. How does remembering what Jesus has done for you help you face current struggles or temptations? [44:42]
6. Repentance and faith are described as ongoing, not one-time acts. What is one practical way you can practice turning away from “lesser things” and turning toward Jesus this week? [50:48]
7. Communion is a way to remember and proclaim Christ’s death and resurrection. How can you make the act of remembering Christ more central in your daily or weekly routine? [50:48]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you see where you are tempted to exalt lesser things, to give you a heart that seeks refuge in Him first, and to let His glory be seen in your life, even in the midst of trials.
Devotional
Day 1: Taking Refuge in God Amidst Trials
David models turning to God first in times of trouble, seeking refuge in Him rather than focusing on the dangers or difficulties that surround him. Even when his life is threatened and he is surrounded by enemies, David’s instinct is to cry out to God, trusting that God’s mercy and protection are greater than any earthly threat. This posture of faith invites us to bring our fears, anxieties, and needs directly to God, believing that He is both willing and able to shelter us until the storms pass. In the shadow of His wings, we find a security that transcends our circumstances, no matter how dire they may seem. [19:08]
Psalm 57:1-3 (ESV)
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me. God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!
Reflection: When you face a difficult situation today, what would it look like for you to turn to God first—before trying to fix it yourself or seeking help elsewhere?
Day 2: Exalting God Above All Else
To exalt God is to lift Him higher than anything else in our lives, recognizing His supreme worth, glory, and authority. David’s refrain, “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!” is a declaration that God is greater than any power, problem, or desire we might encounter. Exalting God means giving Him the highest place in our hearts, our priorities, and our worship, refusing to let lesser things take His place. This is the purpose for which we were created: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, letting our lives point to His greatness in every circumstance. [25:07]
Psalm 57:5, 11 (ESV)
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are tempted to give more importance or attention to something other than God? How can you intentionally exalt Him above that today?
Day 3: God’s Steadfast Love and Faithfulness
God’s steadfast love and faithfulness are unshakeable, reaching higher than the heavens and deeper than any trial we face. David’s confidence is not in his own strength or in favorable circumstances, but in the character of God who always keeps His promises. Even when surrounded by danger, David proclaims that God’s love and faithfulness will save him. This same love is ultimately revealed in Jesus Christ, who gave His life for us so that we might be forgiven and adopted into God’s family. No matter how desperate our situation, we can trust that God’s love will not fail us. [44:42]
Psalm 57:9-10 (ESV)
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.
Reflection: In what specific way can you remind yourself of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness today, especially if you are feeling overwhelmed or alone?
Day 4: Repentance and Faith—Turning from Idols to God
The Christian life is a continual turning away from the things we wrongly exalt—whether self-reliance, outcomes, or other “idols”—and turning in repentance and faith toward God. We are prone to let our fears, desires, or even good things become ultimate things, but true life is found in recognizing our need for God’s mercy and trusting in Jesus alone for salvation. Repentance is not a one-time event but a daily practice of reorienting our hearts, remembering that only God can truly satisfy and save. [47:11]
Acts 3:19 (ESV)
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,
Reflection: What is one “idol” or misplaced trust you need to turn from today, and how can you actively place your faith in Jesus instead?
Day 5: Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice and Proclaiming His Glory
We are called to remember and proclaim the death and resurrection of Jesus, not just in communion but in every aspect of our lives. This remembrance anchors us in the truth of God’s love and the price paid for our redemption, guarding us from forgetting who He is and what He has done. As we remember, we are also called to examine ourselves, ensuring that our faith is genuine and that we are living in repentance and reconciliation. In doing so, we echo David’s call for God’s glory to be over all the earth, letting our lives become a testimony to His surpassing greatness. [52:13]
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (ESV)
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Reflection: As you remember Christ’s sacrifice today, is there someone you need to reconcile with or a step of faith you need to take so that your life truly proclaims His glory?
Quotes
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