King Saul was in hot
pursuit of David. Do you remember?
Just as long as David was slaying Saul’s enemies and soothing Saul’s
emotional anguish via his anointed musical gift, Saul was ‘down’ with David’s
personality and program. This feels so typical, doesn’t it? While
performing according to the expectations of others, one retains ‘hero’
status. Whenever one diverges from the prescribed course-of-control, one
can be quickly deemed to be a rebel or an undesirable. In that
connection, some years ago the Holy Spirit seemed to whisper within my spirit:
‘I have saved you from SIN – now it’s time to get deliverance from
PEOPLE.’ What a powerful personal revelation! Instead of allowing
CHRIST to become (and remain) as the Author and Finisher of our faith, many of
us actually become inadvertent IDOL WORSHIPERS – by way of a curious emotional co-dependency
that requires the mutual acceptance and affirmation of others.
How I love David’s
attitude! Of course, we know that ATTITUDE IS A RELIABLE PREDICTOR OF
ALTITUDE. Think about it. Just as surely as Saul was predisposed to
panic, David was wired for worship. I am absolutely inspired by David’s
faith and tenacity in the face of danger. While surrounded by destruction
and death, David sang, “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 during critically difficult 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 would precipitate
a crisis. I can imagine David’s hands were waving frantically
back-and-forth to cancel out this dangerous tune, as his lips mimed in
desperation, ‘NO…NO…NO…WRONG LYRICS!’
Eventually Saul became
his archenemy and David 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 homeland monarch?
David wound 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 and sensory realities. Neither your surroundings, nor your
situation, ultimately matter – because GOD’S GOT YOUR BACK!
David’s dark cave was
loaded with never-do-wells, but it was a DIVINE APPOINTMENT because everyone in
that dismal cave was directly exposed to POWERFUL AND PRAYERFUL PRAISE! I
read an intriguing passage of scripture that clarifies the reason why David was
sovereignly positioned in the Cave of Adullam.
Remember this: GOD is always up to something behind the scenes! And wherever God guides, God provides.
Joshua 15:20,35
This is the
INHERITANCE of the tribe of the children of JUDAH…Jarmuth, and ADULLAM, Socoh,
and Azekah.
This scripture passage
seems rather random and irrelevant at first glance; it merely cites cities in
Canaan and their tribal assignment. The city of Adullam was specifically
designated as the proprietary heritage of the Tribe of Judah. Since JUDAH
MEANS PRAISE, this divine deed 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 wreaked with reversals? First of all, because GOD INHABITS
PRAISE. When you PRAISE HIM (in the midst of trouble), you bring Almighty
God smack-dab-in-the-middle of your problem, pressure and pain! Secondly,
because PRAISE IS COMELY FOR THE UPRIGHT. You ‘look’ and ‘feel’ so much
better (and your environment is positively transformed) WHENEVER YOU PROACTIVELY
PRAISE HIM! (Psalm 33:1)
The name “ADULLAM” is
fascinating because it means “REFUGE.” Often, the place where God has
assigned you only LOOKS LIKE a test, a trial, a temptation, or a terrible time
of trouble. However, IF GOD HAS POSITIONED
YOU THERE (even in that trouble-filled and light-challenged cave)…YOUR
CAVE OF ADULLAM BECOMES YOUR REFUGE. Why? Because Adullam is where
God has you FOR A TIME, until HE publicly brings you out into your appointed
moment and place of divine destiny. Be assured, HE will not leave you
there! ADULLAM is your PRESENT REFUGE – because in the darkness of
Adullam, YOU WILL SOON SEE…AND POWERFULLY PRAISE…THE TRUE AND LIVING GOD!
In closing, read the
following scripture passage and be encouraged and mindful that no matter where you are…GOD IS!
Psalm 46 (New King
James Version)
God is our refuge and
strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though
the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and
be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah. There
is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the
tabernacle of the Most High. God is in
the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break
of dawn. The nations raged, the kingdoms
were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of
Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Come, behold
the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth. 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. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be
exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! 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 HIM!
Sisters and brothers,
be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO
MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!
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