Searching For Refuge In a Perilous World

Take a moment to listen to this song by Kari Jobe while you read. God used this song to help my family through a rough season.

Searching For Refuge

1 Samuel 22:1-5

8 O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
9 O fear the Lord, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want.

10 The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing

11 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

12 Who is the man who desires life And loves length of days that he may see good?

13 Keep your tongue from evil And your lips from speaking deceit.

14 Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous And His ears are open to their cry.

16 The face of the Lord is against evildoers, To cut off the memory of them from the earth.

17 The righteous cry, and the Lord hears And delivers them out of all their troubles.

18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalms 34:8-18 (NASB)

Is there anywhere we can find safety? Is there any relief from the relenting attacks of life? There are certain points in life that it seems that we can't get anything right. There are moments in my life that are not easy at all. At times my heart can be the most unsteady of all. At times I wish life could easier. Why is it that I can succeed at all the things that don't matter, but when it comes to the most important things in my life I struggle so much. Often times when I look at my life from the outside it seems to be all neat yet I know that on the inside it can be so messy. I find the man whom I strive to be is not the man that I am. Sometimes it just hurts so much when I see that my heart is so unsteady. For I must find refuge in the arms of my God and Saviour. At times I feel much like David, a wounded refugee fleeing frantically to find refuge. Let us examine together the beauty of God's refuge offered to those who search for it.

In this instalment of the saga of smelly shepherd boy from Bethlehem, we find David now living as a refugee. Our hero is now living cutoff from his nation and king who he saved coutless times. He is now a wanted man, exiled searching for refuge. The beloved hero of Isreal is consideredto be an outlaw and a rebel. It was during these times that God begin to mld david into the great leader and the "man after his heart" David would become. There are several pictures that are important for us to see here in this story.

I. The Portayal Of Salvation 1 Samuel 22:1-2

1. It is a uniqe contrast between the Cave of Adullam and the shelter of the cross.
   The cave like salvation in Christ provides:
   1. shelter, protection, and cover from all outside forces.
   2. rest and comfort from a long journey.
      1. Just as the cool shade, and water provides rest for the body
      2. the cross provides rivers of living water for the weary soul.
   3. a starting point for a new journey
2. David's "motley crew" illistrates those who flee to Christ for refuge.
   1. The Types of people that flee to Christ
      1. People in distress (confined, disabled)
      2. People in debt (because of sin)
      3. People unhappy with thier life
      4. People who were burdened down
   2. The outgrowth of those people
      1. They are despised and few
         1. "You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. Mark 13:13 (NASB)
         2. "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matt 7:14 (NASB)
      2. The "kingdom belongs to them" Matthew 5:3-12

II. The Necessity Of The Wilderness 1 Samuel 22:3-6

1. Wandering through the wildreness teaches us to trust in God rather than man.
1. We can see David faith beginning to regain strength
2. David takes the counsel of the phrophet gad to leave the fortress and go into the forest.
3. If it were me I would have trouble leaving the shelter of the cave and running into the open of the forest.
2. Wandering in the wilderness strengthens your resolve to live for the Lord.
1. This is not the first time God has taken some one through the wilderness.
2. The shadows prove that there is sunshine.
3. 12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12 (NASB)

So I call to you today, do you have pain? Do you have scars, and shame from past regrets? Does your life seem to not go the way that is easy? Can you relate with my struggle to balance the good and the broken? Are you loaded down by the weight of your struggles? I know I find it hard to put my faith into practice in the deepest recesses of my heart. Deep down I have pain I have scars I need someone to steady my restless heart. Let us call this morning upon the calmer of our storms, the healer of our scars, and the God who can steady our restless hearts. Come find refuge in the arms of the Lord your God. For the name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and they are safe. Are you in need a safe place to land? Jesus is calling to us all today, 28 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and You will find rest for your souls.30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matt 11:28-30 (NASB) Will you come fall into his arms and let him heal your busted heart?