Where Shall I Go?

Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 22:1, David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him.

Many of us can relate to what David is now going through. We can relate to the despair of feeling like we are all alone in dealing with our trials and troubling circumstances (whether created by someone else or by our own choices). David went from shepherd to serving in the palace. He went from being a lowly shepherd to a hero of the people. In the blink of an eye, he found himself fleeing from the man he was committed to serve, leave his home, and leave a dear friend who was more than a brother. He could not even turn to a spiritual leader, Samuel. Here, he finds himself alone, in a cave, with no one to help him. He tried using the methods of the world, being dishonest, running to the unsaved for shelter and help, but finally turns back to the Lord, as the Lord delivers him from the hands of the Philistines. The word Adullam means refuge. He is in a place of refuge, a place where he must be still and stop trying to use his own ways and wisdom to resolve the issues that were not instigated by anything he did, other than be faithful. There are times when God will allow us to wander with no one to help us because He wants to teach us to be still and trust Him to deliver us. He wants us to come to Him to be our Refuge. Psalm 46:10 tells us, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” When the Israelites found themselves trapped at the shores of the Red Sea and panicked, Moses reminded them in Exodus 14:13-14, “And Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.’” In Psalm 142, David wrote of his despair, as no one had acknowledged him, and how he could not find refuge even though God knew what He was going through. In Psalm 57 we see David’s humility, prayer and ultimate praise to the Lord as he fled to the cave he found himself in. How often have we found ourselves trying to resolve our own problems, our own trials, and life’s challenges? How often have we turned to the world and even resorted to the world’s ways, only to find that there was no help for us, and only made our circumstances worse? Sadly, we would have to admit that even our brothers and sisters in Christ have often failed us. Why would God allow this? 1 Peter 5:6-7 reminds us, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” Philippians 4:6-7 also reminds us, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Ultimately, the Lord wants to be our Refuge. His desire is that we first turn to Him and allow Him to be our Comforter. He will be faithful to bring those people into our lives that He will use to be a blessing. By the same token, we must also put ourselves in a position to be available to be used by Him to be a blessing to those who are also hurting and needing comfort. David was in a very difficult situation, but all along the way, even when he strayed from the Lord in his ways, God never forsook him. We can find comfort in knowing that no matter what God allows us to go through in life, He will never ever leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6). When all is said and done, and we find ourselves asking, “Where shall I go?” I pray that the answer will always be, “I will go to my God who is my Shelter, my Refuge, and my Strength.” (Psalm 46)

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).