The Danger Lurking In The Cave

1 Samuel 24:1-22

The Story
David was living in a cave.

The LORD God had systematically removed every support from his life, teaching him a difficult lesson to lean upon Him alone.

While David and his men hid in the cave, the LORD God brought king Saul into the same cave.

David had the perfect opportunity to kill king Saul, but he didn't.

David displayed love, grace, compassion, and forgiveness.

Saul clearly hated David because God was blessing David and not him. He was determined to see David put to death.

Saul heard where David was hiding and he came all the way to hunt him.

Saul was doing everything in his power to take David down and prevent him from becoming the next king of Israel.

Lessons
They are times when the enemies of God try all their best to harm the children of God.

Like David, we are not to retaliate.

We are to wait on the LORD God to intervene.

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. — Romans 12:19 (New King James Version)

Remember...
David spared king Saul's life in the cave.

The Refreshing Cave Experience

1 Samuel 22:1-4

The Story
David was in a dark, damp, dreary, and depressing cave.

He was there alone, defeated, and discouraged.

After a while, his family came. They used to doubt David. Now they turned to David for help. They saw in David God's choice for a king.

Then hundreds of people from Israel arrived. They were fed up with Saul. They felt in debt to David. They went to David because they believed that David was God's man for Israel.

Now God began to transform David into a great king, and the people with him into mighty men.

Here in the cave, David was able to get his mind off his problems and focus his attention on leading and training his people to be a fighting force.

It was a humble beginning, but not for long, before he became the captain of an army of mighty people.

— He was to come out of the cave to take the crown.

Lessons
Every christian has his or her own cave experiences.

It maybe depressing, but not for long.

Soon blessings will come one after another.

Soon we will be refreshed and ready for new challenges.

Everything is in the hand of the Almighty God.

Remember...
David came out of the cave a new man.

The Purpose Of The Cave Experience

1 Samuel 22:1-4

The Story
David was in a dark, damp, dreary, and depressing cave.

He was there alone, defeated, and discouraged.

After a while, his family came.

Then the defeated men of Israel also arrived.

They feared king Saul.

But they believed David was God's man for the future.

David finally realized his calling.

And he rose up to the challenge. He took care of his elderly parents and led his men.

And he committed himself again to the promises of God (Psalm 57:1-11).

David knew that the time would come when the LORD God would bring him up again.

Lessons
Every christian has his or her own cave experiences.

But it is not for long.

Soon it will reveal to us its purposes.

Soon we will be ready for fresh challenges.

And We can rest assured in the LORD God.

Remember...
David recovered from his many cave experiences.

The Cave Experience

1 Samuel 22:1-4

The Story
David was in a dark, damp, dreary, and depressing cave.

He was escaping from his enemies.

He was experiencing the loss of everything and everyone he leaned on in his life.

He was then alone, defeated, and discouraged.

David had been brought to the very bottom of his life; the crowned prince of Israel was living in a cave!

The cave was a nightmare; it was a place of separation.

But the cave was a blessing; it was here that the LORD God taught him to wholly lean on Him.

David learned to totally submit to the LORD God.

Lessons
Every christian has his or her own cave experiences.

It is a cave of separation and depression.

It is a cave of total submission and grace.

At the end of the day, every christian becomes the man that the LORD God wants him or her to be.

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

Remember...
David and his many cave experiences.

David Found His True Help

1 Samuel 21:10-15; Psalm 34

The Story
God had placed some people and some things in David's life to help and support him.

But when David became too dependent on them, God began to dismantle each and everyone of them.

God did this to David so that David would learn to lean completely on the LORD God.

David finally learned to lean on God's praises.

David finally learned to lean on God's protection.

David finally learned to lean on God's provision.

David finally learned to lean on God's promises.

David finally learned to lean on God's presence.

David finally learned to lean on God's preservation.

Lessons

We all lean on somebody or something to get through life.

But God will dismantle them if we become too dependent on them.

God wants us to lean completely on Him alone.

The children of God will ultimately learn to submit to the LORD God alone.

Remember...

David finally found his true Help – he submitted all his life to God alone.

David Lost All His Helps

1 Samuel 21:10-15

The Story
God had placed some people and some things in David's life to help him.

But David became too dependent on his support system and less on the Almighty God.

God was not happy and began to dismantle every piece of David's support system.

David lost his job and became a fugitive.

David lost his popularity among the people.

His wife, Michal walked away from him.

Jonathan had to send him away because of David's safety.

David had to flee from the presence of the prophet Samuel because of the relentless pursuit of King Saul.

And David lost his pride in front of his enemy, the Philistines, by pretending to be a raving lunatic, scratching on the gates and drooling on his beard like a mad man.

Lessons

We all lean on somebody or something to get through life.

God has placed certain people and certain things in our lives to help us.

But God slowly dismantles them as we become too dependent on them, rather than on Him alone.

We may lose our job.

We may lose our popularity among the people.

Our spouse and family members may leave us.

We may have to part with our good friends.

We may for some reasons unable to seek spiritual helps.

And we may live a compromising and pretentious life among our enemies.

So...

Remember David who had lost all his helps – God had slowly dismantled them as David became too dependent on them.

David Needed Helps

1 Samuel 21:10-15

The Story
God had placed some people and some things in David's life to help him.

His work in the army and in Saul's court gave him stability in his life.

His fame and reputation among the people gave up the proper support.

His wife, Michal genuinely loved him.

Jonathan proved to be a true and faithful friend.

The prophet Samuel was his spiritual father.

And his own emphasis on doing the right thing had also made the difference.

Lessons

We all lean on somebody or something to get through life.

God has placed certain people and certain things in our lives to help us.

Our work gives us the stability we need.

Our honor and respect among our people gives up the proper support.

Our spouse and family members genuinely loves us.

We have many true and faithful friends.

Many of us also draw strength and help from church leaders.

And our insistence on doing the right thing also helps us live a fulfilling life.

So...

Remember David and his many supports – God had given him enough proper support systems.