Oh magnify Yahweh with me. Let's exalt his name together. I sought Yahweh, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to him, and were radiant. Their faces shall never be covered with shame. This poor man cried, and Yahweh heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. Psalms 34:3–6 WEB.

David was in the center of the enemies' camp, surrounded by relatives of men he had killed in battle. King Saul, his father-in-law, was seeking to kill David in a jealous rage. So David had to get out of the country quickly. He crossed the border and entered the Philistine town of Gath, hoping to hide from Saul. "Gath" appropriately means "The winepress." David was officially out of the frying pan and into the fire.

Not long after this, the Philistines began to recognize David and talk about him: "Is this not David who they sing about? Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousand?" David was under immense pressure, so much that he began to act like he was a madman (1 Samuel 21:13). When the Philistines thought he was crazy and let him go, David wrote Psalm 34: "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles!"

David, who slew bears, lions, and the giant Goliath, was pressed like a grape until fear came to the surface in the winepress of the Lord. He was taken to the edge of his faith, and it looked dark and hopeless. Yet, the Lord delivered him. For no matter how great your faith is, God can always stretch it a little further. His tests scale infinitely. Still, He is always there to deliver you in the end. Will you still trust Him when under the pressure of His winepress? It's amazing what He squeezes out.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please strengthen me and help me serve You today without shrinking back. I want to let go of the bad and hang onto the good. Set me free from the ungodly things that hold me back. Let Your love and peace cover me today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:12-13) ~ If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network. If you are interested in joining the prayer team, here is how to get started Prayer Partners.