The World & the Evil One… we get terrorism, 911, wars, abortion, murder, divorce, diseases…

1 John 5:19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

The Trials we Encounter… Experiencing trials?  Crutches being pulled out?  Hard times?

James 1:2-4 ² Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ⁴ Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

The Almighty Transcendent God… A transcendent God is one who is beyond perception, independent of the universe, and wholly "other" when compared to us… He “allows” evil… working out His perfect will and purpose for His glory and our good…

Daniel 4:35 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?"

God allows the crutches to be pulled out from under David… his position as General, his wife Michal, his spiritual mentor Samuel, his best friend Jonathan, and lastly, his self-respect…  

To teach him, to grow him, to prepare him… to become Israel’s greatest king

2.  David’s Response from the Cave… (Fled from the Philistines king Achish)

1 Samuel 22:1a “David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam…”

The Cave of Adullam is 20 miles SW of Jerusalem or 10 miles NE of Gath… the depths his life has sunk to… no security, no food, no one to talk to, alone, no promise to cling to, hope gone… all alone in a dark, desolate, damp, dreary cave… no escape, nothing left… away from everyone except God…

David did not lose sight of the Lord… See David’s inner heart, this is the quality God sees as a shepherd boy, now David is 20 yrs old or so… David was brought to the place where God can truly begin to shape him and use him in greater ways…

This was a major turning point in his life… Surrender / Dependence on Prayer

I believe Ps 142, then Ps 57, then Ps 34 were prayers from the cave of Adullam… (take time to read them)

A maskil (teaching Psalm) of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer. Psalm 142:5-6 I cry to you, O 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 57:1-5 For the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." Of David. A mikta . (lament Psalm) When he had fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. 2I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me.  3He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me;  Selah God sends his love and his faithfulness.  4I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts-- men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. 5Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

Psalm 34:7-8 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. 8Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

3.  David was… Make application… by asking yourself… AM I…

ü  Hurt enough to ADMIT his (my) need!

ü  Honest enough to CRY FOR HELP!

ü  Humble enough to LEARN from God!

4.  God Hears & Answers David’s Prayer

1 Samuel 22:1-2 ¹ David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father's household heard about it, they went down to him there.

o   Does God see our anguish/ brokenness of heart?  Does God hear the prayers of a righteous man? 

o   David doesn’t advertise for people – they just come, like w/Noah – God brought them!

o   Sometimes you want to be alone, God brings someone along.  But look who came…His family!

o   A few chapters earlier, David’s family didn’t think much of him, just a puny young shepherd boy. 

1 Samuel 22:2 ² All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him…