A Statewide Call to Pray! Day Twenty-One!

He was on the fast track to success.  Successful shepherd.  Anointed by the prophet to be king.  Slays a giant.  Gains favor in the royal house with the king and his daughter.  Leads the army in victory after victory.

Things went "south" quick.   The favor of the king was replaced by jealousy, anger, rage and attempted murder.

ENTER WILDERNESS

David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him. Then David went from there to Mizpah of Moab; and he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother come here with you, till I know what God will do for me.” So he brought them before the king of Moab, and they dwelt with him all the time that David was in the stronghold. Now the prophet Gad said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold; depart, and go to the land of Judah.” So David departed and went into the forest of Hereth. (1 Samuel 22:1-5)

Much like Moses, David had to escape into a wilderness setting.  Moses had murdered.  David was about to be on the receiving end of murder.  Both are drawn into a place of encountering the will and strength of God.  The Lord unfolds David's destiny before him.  He draws warriors to his side - sounds like people living in our time (distress, debt and discontent).  And note that this wilderness is defined as "the stronghold."  God's presence is our stronghold in the time of debt, distress and drought.

The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
      The righteous run to it and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10)

I am reminded of what I wrote on Day Eight of this Call to Prayer. 

"Elijah was threatened with death by Jezebel (the principality of Baal) and ran for his life to Beersheba, which is a one day journey if you walk or run. The text declares that he went one more day into the wilderness.  In a state of depression he rests under a broom tree.  He is divinely nourished.  On the next day he starts a 40 day trek to the mountain of God."  

We are running - into the strong tower - into the wilderness - into the presence of God - into our destiny as a state and nation.  We are only halfway through our forty day trek.  Press on!  Press through!