Who is your Captain?

In 1 Samuel 22:1-2, we are given the account of David fleeing from Saul, who was trying to kill him. It tells us that David fled to the cave of Adullam. What’s interesting is that this account records that everyone who was in distress, in debt, and who was discontented gathered to him.

What a cheery group to hang around with, right? As if David didn’t have enough problems, now he has to watch over for those “in distress,” (i.e. those who are suffering, in trouble or danger, in pain, deep sorrow, or even in anguish);  and those that were broke, “in debt” men who couldn’t take care of themselves, much less offer anything to David.

It says that these individuals were discontented, probably experiencing dissatisfaction and restlessness, suggesting they might not be too pleasant to be around.  Let’s face it, who wants the company of someone who is disgruntled over their station in life, who feels sorry for themselves and walks around telling everyone that life has given them a raw deal? Not the most uplifting bunch, to say the least!  You might be tempted to say “Hey guys, you mind picking another cave.” But thank God that wasn’t David’s response.

In distress, in debt and discontented. . . I wonder if any of us can relate to how this group, gathered together with David, was feeling.  How many of us are caught in the rat race of the world, trying to get here and there…but really never going anywhere.  So many of us are in such deep debt, that we become slaves to our work, and find ourselves working for things that don’t really mean that much  to us anymore.  Soon we may find ourselves in that same state of discontent, blinded and oblivious to the blessings of God; becoming mere benchwarmers in His kingdom.

• Why do we walk around in such distress when the bible tells us, “. . . that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us? “(Rom 8:37)

• Why do we walk around with such debt, when the Bible tells us, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth. . .”? (Matt 6:19)

• Why do we walk around discontented, when the Bible tells us, “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. . . “(2 Thess. 3:16) and “. . . in everything give thanks. . .” (1 Thess. 5:18)

Why? Could it be that perhaps we haven’t fully surrendered to the Lordship of our King Jesus Christ? Yes, we call Him Savior, but have we truly made Him Captain of our lives?

We don’t know why these men joined David in the dark, cold caves. Some would say it’s because they were in such dire straits and that a cave sounded very inviting.  However, I think they saw something very special, very different in David. I think they saw the attributes and character of the Lord. The Bible describes David as having a heart like God, “. . . The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart. . .”    (I Sam.13:14) and “. . . I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.” (Acts 13:22) That same heart is why David took them in and why they were so drawn to him.

They needed the leadership that he could provide. You see, David was led by the Holy Spirit. He loved_ God, and he loved others; it was so very evident.  Except for his sin, David has been described by many as having a likeness to Jesus; he had a shepherd’s heart, he loved God, he loved his fellow people and we know that he was anointed with the Holy Spirit.

Whatever it was, some of these men who the Bible describes as being afflicted with distress, in debt and discontent, formed what is probably the most famous group of warriors in history. They were known as the “Mighty Men of Valor,” after they surrendered all authority to their king. It’s exactly the “before and after" description the Bible has given these men. These men took a leap of faith and decided to no longer live for themselves, but to pursue servant hood. The account in 1 Sam 22:2 goes on to tell us that David took them in and became captain over them.

• As Christian men, we need to gather to our King, we need to emulate Him, “Commit your way to the Lord. . .” (Ps 37:5 )  This means being sold out to Christ, fully committed, putting Him first in our lives, such as these mighty men did with David.

• We need to be in His Word, “. . . and there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.” (Ps 73:25), which is a sign of wanting to hear from Him.

• We do it through prayer, “Hear me, O Lord, Your lovingkindness is good. . .” (Ps.69:16), which is a desire to speak with Him.

• We do this by fellowshipping, which is making the time to encourage others and also allowing ourselves to be open to the encouragement of other like-minded men, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” (Prov 27:17)

• Lastly, we do this by faithfully using the gifts He’s blessed us with and serving Him with everything we have. . . which by the way, is what His Word says we were made to do, “. . . that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Rom 12:1)

The Bible tells us that some of these stressed out, broken and disgruntled men became great. How did they do it…why did they do it? Because they emulated their king, they learned from their king and they submitted and served their king. We need to follow the example of David and the “Mighty Men of Valor.”   When these men decided to no longer think of themselves, they were no longer identified with distress, debt or discontent. Now and forever they’ll be presented in the pages of the greatest book ever written with victory, passion and power.

As we surrender, as we truly give our hearts to Christ and emulate Him, then and only then will the transformation from distress, debt and discontent to mighty, valiant, sold out warriors take place. It takes time, pain and sacrifice, but the victory comes when we choose the road to greatness and service to God, rather than that road to mediocrity, stuck in the “cave”, distressed, in debt and discontented.  “. . . But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:5)