ASSIGNED TO PRAISE

ASSIGNED TO PRAISE

King Saul was in hot pursuit of David.  While David had been slaying Saul’s enemies and soothing Saul’s emotional anguish via his anointed musical gift, Saul had been ‘down’ with David’s personality and program.  This feels so typical to us.  For while we perform according to the expectations of others, we always retain ‘hero’ status.  However, when we diverge from their prescribed course-of-control, we may be deemed to be rebels or undesirables. 

In that connection, some years ago, the Holy Spirit seemed to whisper in my spirit: ‘I saved you from SIN – now it’s time to get deliverance from PEOPLE.’  What a powerful personal revelation!  Instead of allowing CHRIST to be the Author and Finisher of our faith, far too many of us become IDOL WORSHIPERS via a curious co-dependency that requires the mutual acceptance and affirmation of others.

How I love David’s attitude!  As you know, ATTITUDE IS A RELIABLE PREDICTOR OF ALTITUDE.  Just as much as Saul was predisposed to panic, David seemed to be wired for worship.  I am impressed by David’s faith and inspired by his tenacity.  Even though he was surrounded by destruction and death, David would sing “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalm 34:1) This determination to practice the presence of the Lord through praise and worship motivated and mobilized David in critical and challenging days.

I can almost envision David’s brain buzzing and his stomach churning when the women started offering him greater post-combat accolades than those afforded to King Saul.  They sang “Saul has slain his thousands and David his ten thousands.” (I Samuel 18:7) David knew intuitively that those troublesome lyrics could precipitate a crisis.  I can imagine David’s hands waving frantically back-and-forth to cancel that dangerous tune, as his lips mimed in desperation, ‘NO…NO…NO…DANGEROUS LYRICS!’

Eventually Saul became David’s archenemy and he was compelled to take refuge with the Philistines, the chief political rival of Israel.  Isn’t it ironic that he was treated with more acceptance and care by King Achish, than by his own homeland monarch?  David ended up in a cave in a remote area called Adullam.  I am fascinated by the kind of people that were drawn to him.  The scriptures state, that in addition to David’s family, “every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them.” (I Samuel 22:2)  It’s simply uncanny WHO God will use to bless you!  So stop focusing on your external environment.  Neither your surroundings nor your situation ultimately matters – because ALMIGHTY GOD HAS GOT YOUR BACK!

David’s dark cave was loaded with never-do-wells, but it was indeed a DIVINE APPOINTMENT because everyone in that dismal cave was directly exposed to his POWERFUL PRAISE!  I read an intriguing passage of scripture that clarifies the reason why David was sovereignly positioned in the Cave of Adullam.  Remember: OUR GOD is always up to something behind the scenes!

Joshua 15:20,35

20 This is the INHERITANCE of the tribe of the children of JUDAH according to their families.

35 Jarmuth, and ADULLAM, Socoh, and Azekah,

This scripture passage seems rather random and irrelevant at first glance; it merely cites specific cities in Canaan that were assigned to the tribe of Judah.  That is, the city of Adullam is clearly designated as the proprietary heritage of the Tribe of Judah.  Since JUDAH MEANS PRAISE, the two-line biblical deed (above) signifies that ADULLAM WAS ASSIGNED TO PRAISE!  No wonder David was STILL PRAISING GOD in that distant, damp, dank and dark cave!  Why was David so committed to sustaining praise in a situation that was replete with reversals?  First, because GOD INHABITS PRAISE, whenever we PRAISE HIM (amid trouble), we bring Almighty God smack-dab-in-the-middle of our problems, pressures and pains!  Secondly, because PRAISE IS COMELY FOR THE UPRIGHT, we ‘look’ and ‘feel’ so much better (and our environment is positively transformed) WHENEVER WE ARE FOUND PRAISING HIM! (Psalm 33:1)

The name “ADULLAM” is fascinating because it means “REFUGE.”  Often, the place where God has assigned us LOOKS LIKE a test, a trial, a temptation, or a terrible time of trouble…but IF GOD HAS PLACED US THERE (even in that troublesome and light-challenged cave), OUR DISMAL CAVE OF ADULLAM BECOMES A BRILLIANT AND APPOINTED PLACE OF DIVINE REFUGE.  Why?  Because Adullam is where God has us FOR A SEASON, until He publicly brings us out into our appointed moment and place of divine destiny.  Be assured, HE will not leave us there!  ADULLAM is our PRESENT REFUGE – because in the darkness of Adullam, WE WILL SEE AND PRAISE THE TRUE AND LIVING GOD!

In closing, read the following scripture passage and be mindful that no matter where you and I are…GOD IS!

Psalm 46 (New King James Version)

1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.

6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.

10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

11 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

BELIEVER, YOU HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED TO PRAISE…so right here, right now, PRAISE THE LORD!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!