This morning I continue our series entitled, “Standing on a Word from God.” This is Part 65 of the series and Part 37 of the life of David.
(1 Samuel Chapters 19 – 22)
We are getting to the end year. I am going to have to fast-track this story, because I will be teaching something different in January. Today I will recap chapters 19-22.
After being let out of window by his wife, David fled to Ramah to see the prophet Samuel. Saul got word that David was in Ramah and he immediately sent his troops on a kill-or-capture mission. David got wind of it and he secretly found a way to see Jonathan, the king’s son. Jonathan vowed his life to David. After saying their goodbyes, David took off to the town of Nob. As soon as he got there he went to see Ahimelech the priest. David was tired and hungry. David lied to the priest and said that he was there on a mission from the king. So he asked for food. After eating holy bread, which was only reserved for priests, David then told the priest that he left in a hurry, so he did not have a sword. He asked the priest for one. The only sword the priest had was the one David used to cut Goliath’s head off. David grabbed the sword and took off to land of Gath.
The officers of king Achish of Gath were not happy that David was in town. They did not take kindly to a foreign leader visiting unannounced. David heard what the people were saying and he was very afraid of what king Achish might do to him. David already had problems with the king of Israel and now he was about to have problems with the king of Gath. So, as a last-ditch effort to avoid being arrested or killed, David pretended to be insane, scratching on doors and allowing saliva to drool down his beard. King Achish said to his men, “Must you bring me a madman? We already have enough of them around here! Why should I let someone like this be my guest?” Sure enough, before anyone knew it, David was on the run 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.
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 discontent with king Saul — until David was the captain of about 400 men. Just like that, David’s life took a turn for the better.
With his new-found inspiration David went on a trip to Moab and met with the king. He said to the king, “Sir, 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.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Being destined for greatness does not mean you will not face challenges. It may mean you face more challenges than you ever thought you could handle.
2. When you hit rock-bottom God becomes your only choice. Sometimes we try too much and we get in God’s way. When we get to the point where there is nothing left to try, God is free to do what He planned to do from the beginning of time.
3. 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).
4. 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. God has a way of taking what he meant for evil and turning it around for your good.
5. 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. You may not be living in a cave today, but God is surely up to something in your life. Are you excited about it?
6. There is a blessing waiting for you on the other side of the storm. David had to make it through all the challenges in order to eventually take the throne. Like David, you will have to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles in order to become the man/woman God called you to be!
Closing Confession:
Father, I thank You for never leaving me nor forsaking me. I don’t have to hit rock-bottom before looking to You as my source. 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. When I am weak, and tired of doing things on my own, it is then that I am made strong and empowered by the Spirit. Because it is then that I truly yield to You. Father, You are free to move in my life to bring about Your will. As You move, 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! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
