Dry Times.

The Dead Sea is in a state of decline, diminishing at a rate of one metre per year. Despite the infusion of fresh water, fit for the baptism of Jesus, from the Jordanian Canal, sourced from the Galilee, the Dead Sea is transforming into a desolate landscape—darkened, acidified, resembling a saline cemetery. Life is scarce in its waters and surroundings. The ominous cliffs to the west, reaching 600 metres, bear witness to erosion, creating a rugged terrain home to hyenas, lizards, buzzards, and an unexpected fugitive—David.

David, thin and partched, didn’t choose the wilderness; it was thrust upon him by calamity. Disconnected from stability, Saul’s relentless pursuit severed David from his military career and strained his marriage (she lied to save herself.) David’s escape involved deception and deceit, leading him from Saul’s court to Samuel’s house, then to Jonathan, his soul mate. But with each refuge, the lifeline snapped tighter. David found himself with no place in the court, no position in the army, no wife, no priest, and no friend. All he could do was run.

David’s journey continued with further deception in Nob, the city of priests, where he lied to secure provisions. Seeking refuge in Gath, he attempted to form an alliance based on a common adversary, (Saul) but it backfired. Branded as a threat, David resorted to feigning insanity, leading to his expulsion. This led him to the cave of Adullam near the Dead Sea.

In the cave, David faced isolation, staring at an uncertain future. We can relate to the narrative of David’s plight, when we find ourselves cut off from familiar roles and relationships, perhaps resorting to distortions and seeking refuge in unlikely or unsavoury places.

We are encouraged from the psalms he wrote at this time to learn from David’s example. Despite his initial descent into madness, David gathered himself in the cave of Adullam, rediscovering courage and focusing on God as his refuge. Psalm 57, written during his time in the cave, emphasizes seeking God as the ultimate refuge, not relying on worldly possessions or positions. “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by.  I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.” Psalm 57:1-2 NLT

Corrie Ten Boom once said, “You’ll never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.” Wilderness survivors find refuge in God’s presence. They also discover community among God’s people. Soon David’s brothers and other relatives joined him there. Then others began coming—men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented—until David was the leader of about four hundred men (1 Sam. 22:1–2 NLT). Not what you’d call a platoon of elite commandos. In trouble, in debt, or discontent. Quite a crew. Misfits, yes. Dregs from the barrel, no doubt. Rejects. Losers. Dropouts. Just like the church. Are we not the distressed, the debtors, and the discontent? Take a good look at who you were when you got called into this life. I don’t see many of “the brightest and the best” among us, not many influential, not many from high-society families.

The narrative extends to highlight the importance of community among God’s people, using David’s experience in Adullam as an example. The cave became a gathering place for others in trouble, in debt, or discontented, forming a unique community that eventually grew into a significant force.

Strong congregations are populated with current and former cave dwellers, people who know the terrain of Adullam. They told a few lies in Nob. They went loopy in Gath. And they haven’t for- gotten it. And because they haven’t, they imitate David: they make room for you. Who is David to turn these men away? He’s no candidate for archbishop. Like Jesus, he’s a magnet for marginal people. So, David creates a community of God-seeking misfits. Today we call that a church. God forges a mighty group out of them: “they came to David day by day to help him, until it was a great army, like the army of God” (1 Chron. 12:22).

The arid times in David’s life, marked by disconnections, deceit, and wilderness, ultimately led to his restoration. The story must leave us with the contemplation of our own journeys through challenging times, urging us to find refuge in God and fostering a sense of community among fellow travellers in the wilderness of life. Read Psalm 57. TBC