In previous teachings, we have seen
that David was a mighty warrior but also “a
man after God’s own heart.” David understood that what would be impossible
in his own strength would be done supernaturally by God through His chosen,
anointed one – David. David was God’s willing vessel. God did the same supernaturally
on the cross of Calvary. David’s was a “natural” victory over a “natural”
enemy, but Jesus’ victory was a supernatural victory over the spiritual enemy –
Satan. Jesus is God’s chosen, beloved Son – the Anointed Word made flesh. Jesus
is God in a flesh body with God’s own heart.
Mighty Warrior
David
the shepherd of his father’s flock became a mighty warrior who was victorious
in battle because God was with him. He is a picture of Jesus. David’s victory
over Goliath put the Philistines on the run.
God began
training David in the shepherd’s field as he fought off the lions and the bears
who came to steal, kill and destroy his father’s sheep. Now, in David’s darkest
hours when he was on the run because Saul was trying to kill him, God was
training David to strengthen him to defeat the enemies of God and His people
and possess the Land of Promise. David the mighty warrior will train mighty
warriors!
David wrote Psalm 142 when he was in the rock cave.
He cried out to the Lord in his desperate situation. Even though David was
alone with no human companionship, God was his refuge and strength. “You are my refuge, my portion in the land
of the living. Listen to my cry for I am in desperate need; rescue me from
those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my
prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me
because of your goodness to me.” Psalm 142:5-7
In Psalm 143, David pleads to God’s mercy,
faithfulness and righteousness not to bring him to judgment. David knows he is
not perfect. He is a sinner and a servant of God who believes God’s Word, and
that God is faithful to His Word. David knew that only God could rescue him.
David feels that he has reached the end of his endurance. He needed God to
rescue and revive him. He is dwelling in a dark cave. His spirit has grown
faint and his heart is heavy. He asks the Lord to answer him quickly because
his spirit is failing. “Let the morning
bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me
the way I should go, for to you I lift my soul. Rescue me from my enemies, O
Lord, for I hide myself in you.” Vv8-12
Then in Psalm 144, David says, “Praise be to the Lord, my Rock, who trains
my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples
under me. Vv1-2 God was David’s Rock as Jesus is our Rock who teaches,
trains and equips us for spiritual warfare. David was fighting earthly battles,
but Jesus trains us for a spiritual battle. He is our hiding place and our safe
refuge. We must hold onto Him and His Word. Warriors who depend on God’s
strength and training will be victorious.
God hears and answers David’s prayer
God’s ways are
not our ways. David’s brothers and his father’s household came to David at the
cave of Adullam. David would have to teach, train and equip those God brings to
him. God will do his part, but David will also have to do what God wants him to
do. Not only did David’s brothers and father’s household come to David, but also,
“all those who were in distress or in
debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About 400
men were with him.” 1 Samuel 22:1-2 In other words, a bunch of sinners and
misfits in debt and need. As their leader, David taught, trained and equipped these
misfits how to be invincible warriors. They were trained to be a mighty army
who would help David win many victories against the enemies of God’s people and
repossess the land God had given Abraham and his descendants. Even David’s
brothers who initially mocked David became giant killers because David trained
them. Eventually, these mighty men would rule and reign with David when he
became King over all Israel. They stayed
with David to the end.
The story of
David and his misfits at the Rock cave in Adullam is a picture of King Jesus
and those who are hidden in Him -- the Rock. Jesus takes sinners and teaches
and trains us to become mighty warriors for His kingdom who will rule and reign
with Him forever. If we are going to rule and reign with Jesus in the future,
we must learn to be submitted to His authority and Word now. The enemy cannot
be defeated by the ways of our flesh, only by the ways of God.
Jesus raises
up courageous and fierce spiritual warriors who in turn are to raise up “giant
slayers.” Don’t look to the “giants” in your life as unconquerable. Jesus
already gave us the victory! The enemy – Satan – wants to magnify our situation
so we feel helpless and defeated. When the Israelite spies went into the
Promised Land to check out the situation, Joshua and Caleb were not intimidated
by the giants in God’s Promised Land because they knew the all-powerful God was
with them. Numbers 14:9: “Only do not
rebel against the Lord, and do not fear the people of the land for they will be
our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us.
Do not be afraid of them.” Joshua
and Caleb believed in God’s Word and power. They did not fear the giants in the
Land nor did David’s mighty men. Fear is the opposite of faith. David, Joshua
and Caleb represent faith-filled, faithful followers of the Lord.
Our fleshly
ways are contrary to the ways of God. We must be transformed into one who is
like Jesus seeking only to do the will of God according to the ways of God through
faith and obedience to His Word. Like David’s misfits who became his mighty
men, we are to fight the good fight and stay with Jesus to the end.
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