Study is taken out of Charles Swindoll’s “David – A Man After God’s Own Heart”

1. Study is taken out of Charles Swindoll’s “David – A Man After God’s Own Heart”

2. David at Adullam and Mizpah 22 David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. 2 All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him. 1 Samuel l 2 2:1-2 Being a person after God’s own heart does not mean one will never experience the concentration camp or the despair of the cave. What it does mean is that in spite of where we find ourselves, we will be able to praise Him knowing that in His faithfulness, He will bring us out of the cave and will deal with us bountifully once again.

3. David - The Cave Dweller Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. John 15:20 Fleeing from Saul’s wrath, David sought refuge in the cave of Adullamwhere he took haven within the dark, damp cavern walls. His spirit crushed, and his soul anxious, he composed the following song.

4. A maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer. 1 I cry aloud to the Lord;    I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.2 I pour out before him my complaint;    before him I tell my trouble. 3 When my spirit grows faint within me,    it is you who watch over my way.In the path where I walk    people have hidden a snare for me.4 Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;    no one is concerned for me.I have no refuge;    no one cares for my life. 5 I cry to you, Lord;    I say, “You are my refuge,    my portion in the land of the living.” 6 Listen to my cry,    for I am in desperate need;rescue me from those who pursue me,    for they are too strong for me.7 Set me free from my prison,    that I may praise your name.Then the righteous will gather about me    because of your goodness to me. Psalm 142:1-7

5. Cornelia ten Boom was born on April 15, 1892, and died on her ninety-first birthday, April 15, 1983. Corrie was from a remarkable family of pious Dutch Christians who constructed a secret room in their home and housed a number of Jews there, hidden from the Nazis. When their secret activities were discovered, the whole family was arrested and imprisoned, first in Scheveningen (where Corrie’s elderly father died just days after the arrest) and ultimately in the Ravensbrück concentration camp. • Corrie told the story in the best-selling book The Hiding Place, which was made into a movie by Billy Graham’s film company.

6. The Challenge God seldom leaves His children in their hiding place alone. On the contrary, He uses our environment and circumstances to bring hope and protection to others. To Corrie ten Boom, He brought officers, guards and other prisoners whom she could share her faith with. To David, He brought 400 desperate and disgruntled men who needed Godly leadership. • Being with Others: David was not alone in his refuge. He found himself with family and refugees from Saul’s faulty leadership. • Seeing the Need: Some of David’s companions were stressed, wronged, mistreated, in debt from heavy taxation, etc. Instead of waking away due to his own problems, David remained and accepted the challenge of their needs. • Accepting Leadership: By accepting the challenge, David took the role of leader and met the refugees needs and grew from 400 to 600 strong. Instilling character and direction in their lives, he trained them to become warriors – the very strength of Israel.

7. For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.When he had fled from Saul into the cave. 1 Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,    for in you I take refuge.I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings    until the disaster has passed. 2 I cry out to God Most High,    to God, who vindicates me.3 He sends from heaven and saves me,    rebuking those who hotly pursue me—[c]    God sends forth his love and his faithfulness. 4 I am in the midst of lions;    I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—men whose teeth are spears and arrows,    whose tongues are sharp swords. 5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;    let your glory be over all the earth. Psalm 57:1-5

8. The Change David went from lonely desperation to God-entrusted leadership. Three reasons why God showed David the bright light of deliverance from a cave of despair: • He admitted his need: David openly expressed his fear, loneliness, and pain (Psalm 142) • He cried out for help: Psalm 57 shows us the depth of David’s pain and faith. • He had a teachable spirit: David had tasted God’s deliverance and it lingered in his heart in all situations. David shows his teachable spirit in the following Psalm:

9. 8Taste and see that the Lord is good;    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people,    for those who fear him lack nothing.10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. 19 The righteous person may have many troubles,but the Lord delivers him from them all; 22 The Lord will rescue his servants;    no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned. Psalm 34:8-10, 19, 22

10. Conclusion God gives us each a ministry to be utilized in our daily life. God often uses caveexperiences to show us the purpose and direction we need to carry out this ministry. This is true especially when we are walking/running away from God’s plan for our lives. Both David and Corrie ten Boom, along with many others, remained sensitive to God during the dark times in their lives in caves. We must learn to do the same in our despair in order to attain the victory and survive the weapons formed against us.