1. WHEN LIFE HITS A DEAD END… 1 Sam 22 & 23

2. WHAT TO DO WHEN LIFE HITS A DEAD END? 1 Sam 22: 1 - David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. 2 All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him.

3. Psalm 142: A maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer. 1 I cry aloud to the L ORD ; I lift up my voice to the L ORD for mercy. 2 I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble. 3 When my spirit grows faint within me,it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare for me. 4 Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life. 5 I cry to you, L ORD ; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” 6 Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. 7 Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.

4. WHAT TO DO WHEN LIFE HITS A DEAD END? 1) Two things David did, which we can learn from 2) One thing God does, which we must understand!

5. WHAT TO DO WHEN LIFE HITS A DEAD END? Two things David did, which we must learn from : – First, he prayed out aloud – Second, he seeks God’s wisdom above his own

6. Psalm 142: A maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer. 1 I cry aloud to the L ORD ; I lift up my voice to the L ORD for mercy. 2 I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.

8. Psalm 142: A maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer. 1 I cry aloud to the L ORD ; I lift up my voice to the L ORD for mercy. 2 I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.

9. Psalm 142: A maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer. 3 When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare for me. 4 Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life. 6 Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.

10. WHAT TO DO WHEN LIFE HITS A DEAD END? Hebrews 5:7 7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

11. SOME VALID DOUBTS… Is God deaf that he can’t hear our prayer? Is God so far away that he can’t hear unless I cry out aloud? Is God a sadist that he wants to see us cry abd begging before he answers prayers? So, you are basically telling me that if I cry our aloud to God everything will be okay?

12. WHAT TO DO WHEN LIFE HITS A DEAD END? Two things David did, which we must learn from : – First, he prayed out aloud – Second, he seeks God’s wisdom above his own

13. 1 Samuel 23:1-5: 23 When David was told, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors,” 2 he inquired of the L ORD, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” The L ORD answered him, “Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” 3 But David’s men said to him, “Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!” 4 Once again David inquired of the L ORD, and the L ORD answered him, “Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand.” 5 So David and his men went to Keilah, fought the Philistines and carried off their livestock. He inflicted heavy losses on the Philistines and saved the people of Keilah.

14. WHAT TO DO WHEN LIFE HITS A DEAD END? John 8:28 (NLT) 28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I AM he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me.

15. Luke 22: 39-44: Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. [c]c Jesus Arrested Matt 26:36: ….Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

16. Psalm 142: A maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer. 4 Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life. 5 I cry to you, L ORD ; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” 6 Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.

17. WHAT TO DO WHEN LIFE HITS A DEAD END? 1) Two things David did, which we can learn from 2) One thing God does, which we must understand!

18. Often, God doesn’t take away the suffering, but He gives us the grace to endure it. And through the suffering, He births something new and beautiful in our lives.

19. WHERE IS GOD IN OUR SUFFERING & CHALLENGES? Three possibilities…

20. WHERE IS GOD IN OUR SUFFERING & CHALLENGES? Three possibilities… God is ignorant!

21. WHERE IS GOD IN OUR SUFFERING & CHALLENGES? Three possibilities… God is ignorant! God is indifferent!

22. WHERE IS GOD IN OUR SUFFERING & CHALLENGES? Three possibilities… God is ignorant! God is indifferent! God is involved!