Cave of Adullam (3 of 5)

Mike Connell

Page 9 of 10
I've known people who go into business with someone, and I think: did you ask God to go into that, or not? They had their mind made up, so they went in, but their wife was trying to warn them, and later on… it was a disaster! They never stopped to listen. David listened, and that got him out of a potential trap that could have taken his life.

In the midst of his pain and his sorrow, he came into the presence of God to learn how to express to the Lord; and then secondly, he actually asked God what to do. He got involved with people, helping them, but he never let his life be delivered into their hands. Jesus was the same. He didn't commit Himself to these people who thought He was wonderful, because of the miracles - because He knew what was in their heart. He knew they would deliver Him up! The people that are saying you're wonderful today, could tomorrow deliver you up, and betray you.

Listen to God, let your roots go into God, and accept that sometimes people do things that hurt us. It's part of life, but when you're set in the Lord, you can get over injustice, rejection… over these things that have happened.

He didn't react. He didn't get angry with them. He didn't stand there and say: listen, you lot, you know what you can do! I've just helped you out, and saved you, and this is how you're going to treat me? They didn't even know what was in their own hearts… but God did, and He positioned David, so he never had to have that issue.

There's an awful lot of pain that you could free yourself from, and not have to face, if you ask God about relationships before entering them too deeply. God knows how people will react under pressure, so ask Him if He wants you involved in partnerships or relationships. Ask His direction, because He knows what they will be like. He knows how they will respond. You've got to listen to Him, when it comes to these things.

I've had, over the years, lots of people say lovely, sweet things, but the Lord said: don't trust that person, because there's this in their heart, and when the pressure comes, this is what will come out. You say: oh, that's not very loving! No, but that's very wise! We are called to love the world, and that means you do what's best for them; act in a way that's godly towards them… but trust everyone? No way! You're not called to trust everyone; you're called to give trust to people who prove trustworthy - and God has got a few things to say about that. Young people - you would save an awful lot of pain in your coming life, if you could handle your issues the way David did. He went into the presence of God, discovered a place of comfort and friendship with God, that enabled him to get over injustice, misunderstanding and rejection.

In the middle of his own pain, he still had the heart to fulfil his course, to care for people and help them; and he listened to God before entering into any relationships, and it saved him.

Finally, with David, there were two opportunities. Someone really treated him badly, and he was about to go kill them, but he listened to good advice, and then thanked them for advising him well. He ended up marrying the lady, because she gave such good, godly advice.

There was a second situation too, where he was in a cave with Saul, and his friends around him said: listen, this is the day that God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Why don't you get up and kill him now, just get this over with? You will become king, and with Saul out of the way, our problems will have stopped. He said: God forbid that I should take his life. He refused to touch someone who had treated him unjustly. He said: God set him in that place; let God sort him out.