Jim Mann
Whatever Saul sent him to do, David did it so successfully that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the people, and Saul’s officers as well … and from that time, Saul kept a jealous eye on David … Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear … David escaped to the cave of Adullam … (1 Samuel 18:5, 9, 19:10, 22:1)
What you just read is several months of King David’s life consolidated into one paragraph. Prior to that, the shepherd boy had been anointed to be Israel’s next king and had defeated the giant, Goliath, on the battlefield. He was on a meteoric rise!
But this is the “meantime.” The in-between. The waiting. King Saul, who was initially thrilled with David’s successes, became jealous of David’s glory and began to fear for his throne.
Saul turned on David. Then, within a span of a few very painful months, David lost everything. He lost his position, his wife, his mentor, his best friend, and ultimately his self-respect. He went from living in a palace to hiding in a cave.
A crutch is a helpful tool used as a support when we need assistance. But there’s a secondary definition: something a person uses too much for help or support.
God wants to be our main support structure. He says, So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
Instead of turning to God for help, we often turn to other people or other things. What happens when those fail us … or disappear?
Despite his own failings in life, David really was a man after God’s heart. How do I know? At this low point in his young life, when all his support structures were kicked from underneath him, here’s what he wrote: I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. (Psalm 34:4–7)
We’re all at the stage of life when support structures we’ve depended on are beginning to falter. We can relate to David. Dear one, if these challenges speak to you, would you please turn to the Lord. He promises he will never leave you or forsake you.
See you in church!
Jim Mann, Ph.D., pastors New Life Church at Robson Ranch. This interdenominational church meets at the Robson clubhouse on Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m. and online at 10 a.m. Visit www.newlifedenton.org for more information, or visit his blog at www.drjimmann.com.