(Read 1 Samuel 22-1-4)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” After the awkward incident in Gath where David pretended to be a mad-man, scratching on doors and allowing saliva to run down his beard, David took off again. This time he fled to Adullam and he found refuge in a cave. I can imagine David thinking he had hit rock-bottom. All of this started when the prophet appeared at his home unannounced and God spoke through the prophet, laying hands on David, changing his life forever. Prior to that day David was surrounded by family and he was living a quiet and humble life. After that day — since God interrupted his life — David had become national hero, a member of the royal family, a husband and military commander, and now Public Enemy #1 in the nation of Israel. It was in that cave, all by himself, without his family, his wife, or his best friend, that God began David’s turnaround. Once again, not because David did anything to deserve it, not because he went on a long fast or took a tremendous stand of faith, but by His amazing Grace God started to send people David’s way and his outlook and attitude began to change.
Seemingly out-of-the-blue David’s brothers and other relatives arrived at the cave of Adullam. His brothers, who had once envied what God was doing in his life, were now there to support David. Then others began coming — men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented with king Saul — until David was the captain of about 400 men. Just like that, without David expecting it, God sent people to David and once he had people to lead, he had no time for a pity-party. David was a commander once again, but this time not the commander of Israel’s elite forces, but rather the commander of a rag-tag group of misfits who would change the course of history.
With his new-found inspiration David went on a trip to Moab and met with the king, asking, “Please allow my father and mother to live here with you until I know what God is going to do for me.” I love that statement. David was concerned for his parents, not knowing if Saul would go after them, so he enrolled them into his own ‘witness protection’ program, moving them from Bethlehem all the way to the other side of the Salt Sea, to the land of Moab, where no one would be looking for them. But the key part of the statement for me was when David asked the king to house his parents until he knew what God was going to do for him. After 400 men arrived in a cave, unannounced, to pledge allegiance to him, David knew God was up to something, he just didn’t know what it was. David’s expectations were high as he put his parents in hiding.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. When you hit rock-bottom you have no where to look but up. Sometimes we get to our lowest point before we truly call out to God for help. Prior to that we attempt to do things on our own and when we do, we often get in God’s way.
2. When you have done all you can, and you are spent, then God is free to perform His will in your life. In the New Testament God told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you. My power is strongest when you are weak.” Why is that? It is because when we get tired of doing things our way, we finally give up and allow God to move. When we get out of the way God is free to manifest His glory. Once Paul understood this he said, “It’s clear that when I am weak, then I am strong” (see 2 Cor 12:9,10).
3. God has a way of turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones. God did it for Joseph, He did it for David, and He will do it for you. When the enemy comes up against you, God has a way of taking what he meant for evil and turning it around for your good.
4. Get your hopes up, God is up to something! Although David was living in a cave, he knew God was up to something and he was excited about it. Guess what? You may not be living in a cave today, but God is surely up to something in your life. Are you excited about it?
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for never leaving nor forsaking me. I don’t have to hit rock-bottom before looking to You as my source of strength. I look to You every day and in every way. You are my author and finisher, creator and sustainer, beginning and end, all and all. It is in You that I live and move and have by being. I know I sometimes get in the way of Your plans and purposes and my interruptions cause me unnecessary pain. However, when I get tired of doing things my way I look unto You and allow Your strength to be made perfect in my weakness. When I am weak, and tired of doing things in the flesh, it is then that I am made strong and empowered in the Spirit. And as I look to You and free You to move in my life, You turn every stumbling block into a stepping stone. You take what the enemy meant for evil and You turn it around for my good. You are up to something in my life and I am excited about it. I enter this day with fearless confidence and great expectations! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
