Crying Out in the Cave – 4 Adjustments

The Scripture this week is from 1 Samuel 22:1-2; Psalms 142, 57, and 34. David is now hiding from both Saul and the Philistines. He takes refuge in the Cave of Adullam. Justin reminded us that at this time, David was “all panic and no prayer.”

Have you ever been there? In a place where all you could see was the mountain or snare in front of you and nothing beyond that? Yeah. That’s where David was. David ran when cornered. He made his way to the safest place he could think of . . . The Cave of Adullam. If David knew about this place, did those chasing him? Hmm. David may have been scared witless. After all, who wants an angry madman chasing after him? David surely had time to sit and think while in this cave. While there, he was prompted to make some life-changing adjustments.

ADJUSTMENT 1

Like David, our pride can be our biggest enemy at times. We want to believe that we can do things or solve our problems on our own. How often we forget that we have a Helper (Holy Spirit). David’s first course of action was to admit that he needed help. We are told that David wrote Psalm 142 while in the cave.  With my voice I cry out to the LORD; with my voice I plead for mercy to the LORD. I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him (Psalm 142: 1-2 ESV). David swallowed his pride and admitted that he needed help. Not just any old help, but God’s help.

There have been times in my life I’ve wished I had David’s eloquence with words. I know I’ve cried out to God on multiple occasions, but my words were certainly not this beautiful. I’m so thankful He hears me in spite of my lack.

Crying Out in the Cave - 4 Adjustments @DDuPreeWilliams #Faith #Adjusting #LeaningOnGod Share on X

ADJUSTMENT 2

David took refuge, not just in the cave, but in his God. Remember, Goliath was a Philistine. David had just killed Goliath and the Philistines were not too happy. David wrote Psalm 57 while in this cave. Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me (Psalm 57: 1-2 ESV).

Read the last line above—to God who fulfills his purpose for me. I had to stop and wonder about how many of God’s plans for me I have thwarted because I failed to seek Him or to listen when He I knew He was speaking to my spirit. A friend shared with me with week about someone who may have missed his chance to be named in the Lamb’s Book of Life. I pray that isn’t the case, but when you hear and feel Holy Spirit stir something within you, especially an altar call where you can surrender all to God, don’t ignore it. We are not promised tomorrow.

Consider this—if David hadn’t turned to God but had remained in His pride thinking he could solve all his problems himself what would have become of him and his kingly line? Think about that. God has plans and we must be obedient to listen to Him. Our decisions can and do affect generations to come. Always take refuge in the God who loves you.

ADJUSTMENT 3

David let others join him in the cave. Letting other people into our minds and hearts, and even our lives may be the most difficult for some people. I know it would be for a handful of people I love dearly. They just don’t like being around other people. They have a very small circle of friends and are extremely wary of others. They are loners. I pray that at some point in their lives they will realize how much they need other people. People who will stand beside them through their worst days and still love them. For certain, they need to have this relationship with God.

When we read the first two verses of chapter 22, we see all the people who joined David in that cave. Not just his family, And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him (1Sam. 22: 1-2 ESV). It tells us, in all, there were about four-hundred men.

I don’t know about you, but I would have thought that was just about 395 too many, but David wasn’t in control here . . . God was! David trusted God, and we should, too. Some of the people who enter our lives aren’t going to be the ones we may have wanted, but we can be assured they are the ones we need.

Those four-hundred men mentioned above? They became David’s Mighty Men. Go read about them. God knew David needed them.

ADJUSTMENT 4

While in the cave, David allowed God to grow him. By the time we read Psalm 34, we see how greatly David has changed. Psalm 34: 8 says, Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! (ESV) The King James version says, trusteth rather than takes refuge. David was not the same person when he left that cave as he was when he entered it. He let God change him, change his heart, change his mind. God used David’s time in the cave to shape David into the King the people needed. He put all his trust in God.

Friends, when we lean on God, when He is our refuge in all our trials and troubles, He will use those times to teach us things we couldn’t have learned any other way. He always turns situations satan means for harm to good when we put our trust in Him.

Think about your David moments. Think about ways in which you’ve changed since you allowed God to be your Sovereign Lord. Now, go share your testimony and the gospel with someone. Your sharing God’s Word has the power to change someone’s eternity.

Blessings, y’all!

This was an introit we sang when we were members of our church choir in Birmingham, 1973 through 1984 when we moved to Florida. So beautiful.