(Photo: Gilary Torres)

Make poetry in the cave

In these days when only coronavirus and social isolation are spoken of, I remembered when David, before being king, needed to hide inside a cave to protect himself from the “invisible traps” of his enemies. Did you know that some of the psalms were written while he was “trapped” there? Psalm 142 was one of them. Rereading this prayer of the man after God’s heart, I made some observations that I would like to share with you.

To begin with, David wept all his laments before the Lord (v. 1-3). While complaints rain daily on social networks, why not share your anguish with those who can really do something for us? It can be the boredom of having to stay home every day or the fact that you can not find basic items in supermarkets because people are panic-shopping and stockpiling.

However, David does not end the Psalm in lament. For, as we well know, only to complain is no use, right? After getting all out his chest, he then begins to walk contrary to the problem. “You’re all I have, my only hope in this life, my last chance for help” (Psalm 142:5 TPT), he says.

At this time when many are without point of reference, we can use our time to worship God and declare who He is. This I even encourage you to publish on your social networks in order to bring hope to the desperate.

And so it was that from another “bad day” in the cave, a beautiful poetry arose in David’s heart that inspires thousands to this day. Likewise, do not allow your days in the “cave” to become tedious and full of anguish and complaint.

Instead, make them an opportunity to pour out your heart before God, recognize who He is, and let yourself be inspired to create something new. It could be a poetry, a project you have been putting off or a new recipe you have always wanted to try. After all, today the cave is inevitable, but poetry is optional!

Written by Esaú Moraes.