Jump Start # 3993
1 Samuel 22:2 “Everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him; and he became captain over them. Now there were about four hundred men with him.”
David is running from King Saul. For months and miles, Saul has been after David. The jealously that fueled this anger has now grown into a blazing hatred. Saul wants David dead. This chapter opens with David fleeing to the cave of Adullam. His father gathers with him. But, from our verse so do many others. Four hundred men make their way to the cave. David has an army of misfits. If there were such a thing an island of misfit toys in the Bible, the cave of Adullam is it.
We don’t find warriors. We don’t find leaders. We don’t find brave and valiant heroes. Not in this group. Notice the descriptive words: in distress, in debt, and, discontented. Sour in spirit. Unable to finance David’s travels. Grumblers and complainers. What a mess. What a group. And, now David not only has to keep watching over his back for Saul, he now has an army of broken and busted that he must take care of. How is he going to feed this group? And, you can well expect, whatever they ate, the discontented wouldn’t be content with what was offered.
Sometimes congregations begin with a nucleus just about like this. Unhappy with the way things are going in the church, unable to get their way, enough sour spirits unite to start their own congregation. Excited to be able to do what they want, the core is made up of those who are unhappy, angry and not content. Most times those groups don’t last very long. Some want to push the boundaries further and faster than others can handle. And, those who are discontented at one place, generally become discontented at another place. Little do they realize that it’s not the place, rather, it’s their hearts that are not joyous with the way God established things. And, like David’s cave of misfits, much too often, there is little experience, little wisdom, and few leaders among them.
David will keep this little band together. As they return home, they’ll find that their homeland has been invaded and their families kidnapped. They become so distressed, that they attempt to stone David. They turn on each other, and that is common when distressed and discontented meet discouragement.
Now, this helps us to understand that in the government of the church, God’s design was for godly, spiritually experienced men to lead His people. Giving everyone a voice and a say allows the distressed and discontented to lead people into the land of unhappiness, discouragement and doom. God’s people need to be led through the word of God. Hope needs to be offered through the thickest storms and remembering God’s promises must ring loudly and clearly. Worship must be an offering of thankful hearts in praise to the Lord that we trust and believe.
Sometimes the distressed and discontented are the loudest. They can rally others to be just like them, miserable, complaining and pointing fingers. The good that a congregation is doing can come to a sudden halt, because the distressed and discontented are allowed to have their lifeless, hopeless and faithless way.
What can be done?
First, spending quality time through the pulpit, in Bible classes and in private conversations, developing men spiritually. Get them to see God’s way. Get them busy in the kingdom. Work with young men, so they can make wise spiritual decisions that will help them be leaders in God’s kingdom.
Second, turn the culture around so that discouragement, distress and discontent are not viewed favorably. Mold grows where there is an environment for it. Change that environment and mold stops spreading. The same is true of sour attitudes, gossipy tongues and a spirit of discontentment. When the culture develops positively into what is spiritual and healthy, those negative ways won’t find many to complain to. It’s hard and slow to change the culture of a congregation, but it can be done. Repeated expressions, such as, “Sunday is the best day of the week,” can become the norm. Rather than dragging in at the last second, people start arriving early. They want to be there. They want to be with one another. Reminding each other how blessed we are, and how wonderful it is to be in the kingdom, lifts spirits and hope in others.
Third, it takes courage and risk for those who are spiritual to continue leading spiritually. “Why do you always complain,” may have to be asked. “Aren’t you ever thankful?” is a needful conversation to have with some. It was during this time when David was surrounded by the four hundred misfits, that he “strengthened himself.” There was no one to encourage him. There was no one to watch over him. There was no one to lead him, remind him and help him. So, David strengthened himself. He prayed. He wrote Psalms. He remembered the goodness of the Lord. And, when one is surrounded with those who just have a miserable spirit, you may have to strengthen yourself as well. We wait for others, but there may not be anyone. We want to be encouraged, but we may have to encourage ourselves.
There are some incredible congregations throughout this country. Amazing what they do. Powerful in teaching, encouraging and strengthening each other. But, there are also congregations that look a lot like David’s crew in our verse today. It’s a struggle to go to worship, because of the tension, drama and selfish spirits that prevail. We must remember that we shape the congregation that we are a part of. Laodicea was lukewarm because the members were lukewarm. Sardis was dead because the members were dead.
You may not be able to change others, but what you can do is invite two or three couples into your home. Have a wonderful meal together and talk about a page from the Gospels. It doesn’t have to be deep. It’s a step. It’s doing what hasn’t been done in decades. Call up a couple and invite them to go with you to a Gospel meeting at another congregation. Grab some ice cream on the way home and just enjoy the evening together. Take the preacher out for lunch and just get to know him better.
These are all baby steps, but they are steps in the right direction. They are steps away from distress, discontentment and discouragement. Don’t wait for someone else to start, because they are probably waiting for you to start. Take the first step and head to better days with each other and the Lord.
Roger