ICS Daily Devotions
You Can Go from Isolation to Victory
1 Samuel 23:1-5 (NKJV) Then they told David, saying, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are robbing the threshing floors.” Therefore David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines, and save Keilah.” But David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” Then David inquired of the Lord once again. And the Lord answered him and said, “Arise, go down to Keilah. For I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.” And David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines, struck them with a mighty blow, and took away their livestock. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.
David spent between three to six months in the cave of Adullam when he fled from King Saul, but he found his way out with the help of God.
Unfortunately, some people never came out of their “cave of Adullam”. Too hung up with the loss of their corporate identity or whatever they had put their identity into, they ended up being bitter, blaming God and others for their plight. Some might even be afraid to face up to their failures and other people. Their biggest mistake, however, was that they never sought the face of God for a way out, because they felt that God had failed them. However, if we are not proactive in getting out, our “cave of Adullam” experience can last for months and even years.
This passage describes an utterly different scenario in David’s life as compared to his time in the cave of Adullam. Psalm 142 depicts to us that David was possibly going through a mild depression when his spirit was overwhelmed within him. He complained and cried to God in his distress when he was alone in the cave. However, David did not just leave the cave of Adullam physically, but also spiritually and emotionally. As a leader of the 400 men, it was necessary for him to have a personal breakthrough in order to help those who were with him—those who were in debt, distressed and discontented. A leader is a pathfinder.
Because David trusted in God’s love for him, he was not resentful against God despite all that had happened, neither was he disappointed, discouraged or doubtful regarding what God had called him to do. Yes, he did vent his frustration through prayer, and indeed we should all be doing that because it is a good release valve for us emotionally. Afterall, we are human and God is willing to listen.
David was a great leader who found a way out of his cave of Adullam’s experience. Therefore, whether as the head of the house or as an individual, we must also seek the face of God so that He will direct our steps.
From Isolation to Victory: Cave of Adullam to Keilah
