March 12 – The Cave of Adullam
1 Samuel 22 David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. 2 And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men.
David was being persecuted by King Saul who was burning with jealousy over David’s popularity. David fell into the thongs of depression and he fled, to hide in the Cave of Adullam: Those were dark days, and it seemed persecution was on the rise against David and his people. Around 400 of David’s brethren and all his father’s house started to drown in depression and followed David to the Cave. A band of unhappy, depressed, financially struck and persecuted people gathered unto David. Must have been the hubs of depression because none could comfort them. There was no voice of positivism. David could have rejected them for they seemed a poor choice of army, but he welcomed them all. He also never took Saul’s life though he had an opportunity too several times, even while Saul was sleeping. In the end, as we know, David became the greatest king of Israel. The secret of David’s life was he had the favor of God upon him. The secret of David’s anointing was he was a leader who walked with the common people, not a dictator who ordered the people. He had the courage to follow his heart and intuition and the Holy Spirit. This was why many times, David showed amazing compassion even to his enemies and the weak.
Steve Jobs said, “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” David did this..
Sometimes, we too get so overwhelmed by the persecution in our nation that we hide in a cave, and then get surrounded by more depressed people! However, like David, even in our cave hideouts, if our hearts are kind and accepting to the ones weaker than us, if we do not take revenge as David never did on Saul, God gives us all the victory in the end. Hang in there!
May we be encouraged that in the Cave of Adullam, as we wait, God is working in us better character, strength, acceptance, serving hearts and we start to lean to encourage those who are in weaker and depressed. It is a season of giving, sharing, and growing together. These are important times in persecution days. Our Cave of Adullam might be a home where we gather, or even a place where we depart to, to escape from tyranny. May we learn His precious love and sharing during these times.
Rita
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