The Cave of Adullam

From Despair to Faith-filled Mighty Men!

Men, what happened to the 400 men that were in distress, in debt and discontented who followed David into the Cave of Adullam and, after 9 months emerged as David’s Mighty Men – faith-filled, fearless and victorious? 

1Sam 22:1- 2 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. 

Nine months in the cave. The length of time it takes to birth something new. The answer to what led the transformation in the men lies in the Psalms, many of which were written by David while in the cave. 

Over the past 3 Men’s Breakfast, we have ventured deep into the Cave of Adullam to receive revelation from the Holy Spirit about how David led this transformation in his men.

There is much to be learned about how we stand in the face of distress, debt and discontentment with what was learned by David’s Mighty Men.

The three main things we discovered from David’s time in the cave with those men were:

The Power of:

1. Testimony
2. Praise
3. Thanksgiving

Testimony

On David’s way to the cave, he came to Nob to Ahimelech the priest. He asked Ahimelech if he had a weapon that he could have for his journey. Ahimelech said that he “happened to have the sword of Goliath” that he, David, can have. Imagine that! The very sword that David used to cut off Goliath’s head after he defeated him was miraculously there for him, unbeknownst to him! 

1Samuel 21:9 And the priest said, "The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you struck down in the Valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you will take that, take it, for there is none but that here." And David said, "There is none like that; give it to me."

God had prepared that very sword to be in David’s path as a testimony of His faithfulness and a reminder of victory against all odds! Imagine the flood of remembrance that filled David about how God had stood by him against Goliath. Imagine the same for the 400 that followed David as he led them into that cave carrying Goliath’s sword. The testimony of how what God has done, He can do again and again! Listen to what has been attributed as one of the first Psalms David wrote in the cave of Adullam:

Listen to my testimony: I cried to God in my distress and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears! Gaze upon him, join your life with his, and joy will come. Your faces will glisten with glory. You’ll never wear that shame-face again. When I had nothing, desperate and defeated, I cried out to the Lord and he heard me, bringing his miracle-deliverance when I needed it most. Psalm 34:4-6 TPT

Testimony had led a way to begin to build the faith of David and the 400 men.

Praise

David was a man of praise with a heart after God. Against all odds and in despair, David led the men in worship and praise of the Almighty God. He taught the men that praise is the act of ascribing worth to God no matter what the circumstances are or what the environment looks and feels like.

 1 Ascribe to the Lord, O sons of the mighty, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.2 Give to the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness or in holy array. Psalm 29:1-2

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34:1-3

7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise.8 Awake, my glory! Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn. 9 I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the [a]nations. Psalm 57:7-9

Thanksgiving

David knew how to approach God. He knew that thanksgiving was the first step in approaching God’s presence as was the pattern of the Tabernacle. 

Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and [b]not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. 5 For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100:3-5

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; 2 To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night, Psalm 92:1-2

 Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High. 15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” Psalm 50:14-15

There are many Psalms written by David filled with testimonies of God’s faithfulness, praising, and giving thanks to God. David’s leadership of the 400 men that led to their transformation was accomplished by focusing their faith on the majesty of the God that is worthy of all praise and thanksgiving. The God that delivered them before will deliver them again! Their praise had become bigger than their problems and they changed from victims to victorious mighty men!

“Cultivate a lifestyle of thanksgiving” – Pastor George Pearsons

I urge you to go back and listen to the powerful messages of Thanksgiving taught by Pastor George on November 19th and November 26th. 

Pastor George shared some key medical facts about the transforming power of thanksgiving:

1. Being thankful boosts your health by reducing depression, stress, lowering blood pressure and producing more energy and greater optimism
2. Being thankful slows the aging process. In older adults, the daily practice of gratitude slowed the effects of neuro degeneration. 
3. Being thankful puts the brakes on stress. Cortisol, often called the stress hormone, is significantly lowered through positive emotions such as gratitude.
4. Being thankful helps us bond with each other. Research shows that gratitude leads to better relationships through an increased production of oxytocin also known as the “bonding hormone”.
5. Being thankful is good for the heart. Research shows that those who actively express thanksgiving can reduce blood pressure by 10%.

God has designed us with the ability to experience transformation in every part of our lives by grace through faith through the power of thanksgiving.

When we focus our faith on the goodness of God, His faithfulness towards us and approach Him with the worship due to Him with a thankful heart, we can overcome any situation, experience healing and be filled with the peace that surpasses all understanding!

Men, we have mentoring groups and mentoring opportunities here at EMIC. Contact Pastor Al at 817-252-2964 or email at avelez@kcm.org

Men, unified faith is the incubator for revival!

Let’s continue to join our faith in prayer for the Key Prayer Points below that will continue throughout the month.

• That the men of EMIC and the church at large make God’s Word final authority in 2023
• Psalm 91 protection over the nation of Israel, our church, leaders and partners for wholeness and prosperity.
• That Pastor George and Pastor Terri and Brother and Sister Copeland are renewed as Eagles in youthfulness, health and utterance in the Holy Spirit
• Complete healing for our church family members that are overcoming.

Men, there are active opportunities to be involved in affecting each one of these areas here at EMIC, our community, schools and patriotic involvement and through effective faith-filled prayers.

To find out how you can be more involved contact Pastor Al Velez at avelez@kcm.org or call 817-252-2964 

Our Men’s Ministry is designed to equip you with biblical weapons of warfare and disciple you and one another in the Word and in meaningful relationships so that we join our faith for victory!

Come and be a part of our Men’s Movement!

Don’t miss our Built to Last Men’s Breakfast! Go online to emic.org to register now!

Can’t wait to see you all!

Until then stay strong and courageous!

Love and blessings! Pastor Al