Monday March 18th, 2024
« For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock »
1 David fled from the city of Gath and went to a cave near the town of Adullam.
When his brothers and the rest of the family heard that he was there, they joined him.
2 People who were oppressed or in debt or dissatisfied went to him, about four hundred men in all, and he became their leader.
One lesson or benefit of a lockdown is the opportunity to develop one’s hidden potential.
The hustle and bustle of day-to-day human activities often rob us of the opportunity for meditation and spiritual growth.
Had it not been for the lockdown David suffered when he was running away from his sworn enemy King Saul, he would not have been able to develop his leadership potential and produce great warriors from the downtrodden, distressed and discontented young men of Israel that formed his first army.
« And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him »
The result of David’s lockdown in the cave of Adullam is evident in the account of those people regarded as vagabonds, who became mighty men of valor in his army, as written in 2 Samuel 23.
One of them – the son of Dodo, was described thus in 2 Samuel 23:9-10 NKJV
« 9 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated. 10 He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder »
A time of lockdown, whichever form it takes, should be spent in such a way as to bring the best out of us.
David was not sitting to brood over his troubles when being pursued by King Saul.
He used the period of his lockdown to develop his military acumen and raise an army of men who would eventually become his generals.
Little wonder he had a standing army in contrast to the ad-hoc army of his predecessor.
Beloved, during your period of low estate, find out what God would want you to do, and it will surprise you that you will come out stronger to do exploits.
In whatever Situation you may find yourself, ask the Almighty God to open your eyes to lessons to be learnt and opportunities to be seized, just as Joseph did, rising from being a prisoner to become the Prime Minister (Genesis 40 – 41)
Application – Learn obedience in any time of distress.
Author – Bishop Enoch. A. Adeboye.
Edited by Naomie
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