Scripture
1So David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. Soon his brothers and all his other relatives joined him there.2Then others began coming—men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented—until David was the captain of about 400 men. 1 Samuel 22:1-2
Observation
We get some insight into this season of David's life through his cave prayers written in the Book of Psalms. When David's back is against the wall he looks up. When he sees no way out he looks up. In Psalm 142, for instance, we are given some essential context: "A Maschil of David, regarding his experience in the cave. A prayer." A maschil is an instruction. David is passing on to others the lessons he learned on his knees in the cave. From the lowest place, he found Heavenly peace. From the loneliest place, he found the Savior's face. David has just had to say goodbye to his best friend Jonathan as King Saul's murderous plans had been made abundantly clear. To make matters worse he feared what King Achish of Gath might do to him. With nowhere to run or find refuge, he finds a cave. The Cave of Adullam was only two miles south of the Valley of Elah where David triumphed over the giant Goliath. This probably would have felt salt in the wound. What seemed like it might be onward and upward was downward and farther from the throne he was meant to sit on. Then, on top of that, the downcasts, discontent and indebted began to make their way to this cave. There they found the would-be-king David teaching them the best way forward was on their knees. He prayed, "5I cry to you, Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” 6Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me." (Psalm 142:5-6) He had been anointed to be King but he was stuck in a cave. He had been called to rule all of Israel but was now the captain of malcontents. Instead of castles, he had been given a cave. Here's the beauty of this prayer- the streams of helplessness and hopelessness converge with fresh surrender and powerful perspective. All David wanted was the presence of God. If God was with him then David had everything he needed. His dead-end would be a divine beginning. Ours will too.
Application
I'm not sure how long David was in the Cave of Adullam, but we will have been in our cave for 40 days on May 1st. I can't think of a time when I have prayed more. Though admittedly, my home has many more comforts than a cave, I can relate to David's prayers. This is not how I saw the year playing out. We just received word that school would not go back in session this year. So, it's homeschooling until June. Hold on while I lift another desperate cave prayer to the Lord. Cave prayers bring us to a place of fresh surrender and a powerful perspective. Success, accolades, even the fulfillment of God-given dreams all get laid down at the feet of Jesus. It's only when Jesus is all we have that we realize Jesus is all we need. David is giving me a powerful leadership lesson today. Do my family, staff and church hear the castle prayers or the cave prayers? Do they see me only on the mountain or do they see me in the moments of weakness? Do I perpetuate an image of perfect readiness? Am I willing to admit, like David before his men, that I don't have the answer and must wait on God in prayer? What do I desire more? The presence of the Lord or the perfect image? The presence of the Lord or the applause of people? Cave prayers are real prayers. No lights, no spin, no way out but through prayer. In fact, it's cave prayers that prepare us best for what's next. They reduce us to the lowest common denominator and the clearest focus- all I need is Jesus!
Prayer
Lord, I feel like I've been waiting for a long time. Thank you for reminding me that it’s in the waiting, the dead ends, detours, and delays, that You are forging my character and readying my heart for what’s ahead. You're not making me hold my breath until I pass out and give up. You inviting me to take a deep breath and remember that Your plans for us for good and not evil. You have a future and hope for us. Do I believe that? The waiting is not meant to torture me but to train me. This is not meant to crush me but to grow me. You're not keeping me from something as much as preparing and propeling me into Your purposes. This cave time is the reminder that the very thing that feels like its pulling me back might be the very thing that will catapult me into the next thing God has for me. Let me stay honest before You Lord. Let me model for those around me what a surrendered life looks like. Your will is worth waiting for.
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