David the Fugitive Called, anointed, first battles, now… Adventure? The price of success David still had a few lessons that he needed to learn

David at the Cave of Adullam David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father's house heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men. 1 Samuel 22:1–2

Discipline God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12

Every trained son spends time in the wilderness a spiritual (if not physical) wilderness is a place of trial where we encounter God Every trained son spends time in the wilderness Abraham Job Moses and Joshua Elijah David John the Baptist Paul

God does not just want to move his people from A to B, from Egypt to the Promised Land, but to change these sons of Adam into the sons of God.

Visionary leader but what about a visionary people? Moses Jesus Becoming like Jesus – living in reduced circumstances, living with limitations, serving those in need Incarnation was a lifestyle not a doctrine Suffering in our place a calling

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. Romans 8:29–30

God has some essential lessons to teach us along the way. Two Psalms, 57 and 142 Victorious or stripped of all but God?

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,     for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,     till the storms of destruction pass by. 2 I cry out to God Most High,     to God who fulfills his purpose for me. 3 He will send from heaven and save me;     he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness! 4 My soul is in the midst of lions;     I lie down amid fiery beasts— the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,     whose tongues are sharp swords. 5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!     Let your glory be over all the earth! 6 They set a net for my steps;     my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my way,     but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah 7 My heart is steadfast, O God,     my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! 8     Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre!     I will awake the dawn! 9 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;     I will sing praises to you among the nations. 10 For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,     your faithfulness to the clouds. 11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!     Let your glory be over all the earth!

Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me! The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me. I cry to you, O Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low! Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name! With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord. I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him. When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul.

“You may never know that JESUS is all you need, until JESUS is all you have.” ― Corrie ten Boom

Short term delays are do not mean long term cancellation God is on time, all the time. David will enter the fullness of his Kingdom, but in God’s time Church growth will come Revival The return of the Jesus Christ

Fusion – let’s go! Beulah – let’s believe for great breakthrough! Gain through giving!