Where Do You Run

“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.”

 

1 Samuel 22:2


By now most everyone I know have been able to get some much needed vacation time in. It’s not uncommon for them to use the terms like, “get away” “escape” “retreat” and even “hide out” to describe their destination and what they hope to do. Life can be stressful and having a place to run is not something new. 1 Samuel 22 tells us about a time in history where a large group of people who were worn out from life went to find rest.

I just returned from a wonderful vacation on the beautiful island of Maui Hawaii and while I was there I was reminded of one of, if not the most important life lessons I have ever learned. Like the story here in 1 Samuel 22, the Lord reminded me on this vacation that, true rest isn’t found in a place but in a person. As much as I enjoyed the sights and sounds, tastes and smells of Hawaii, the reason I was able to rest was because of who I was with not where I was. I get it, just like the 400 distressed in the cave in 1 Samuel I find rest in a person too, just having my wife there and knowing she is by my side brought me comfort and rest.  
 
The really good news today is there is a safe place where the stressed, the distressed, discontented can go to find solitude in this life. It’s not where you might think though. A dark cave isn’t the place to find safety, no, safety is found in the presence of our greater than King David, Jesus Christ. The cave didn’t provide the comfort the 400 gathered together sought, King David did. David you recall is a type of Christ in 1 Samuel 22 and the cave isn’t the place of comfort, the One who meets us in the cave is our source of comfort, the one who provides us peace.

Let David’s life serve as an encouragement to you today. David is a type of Christ in this story so when the distressed, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him, he took them in and became their captain and transformed their lives when he became their hiding place. Don’t forget, the cave didn’t provide them comfort, David did. And what David offered those gathered together with him, Jesus offers even more to those who come to Him.  

The Lord is our hiding place, and those who are distressed and discontented in this life don’t need a vacation as much as we need comfort and rest that are ours to enjoy in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Psalm 20:7 puts it like this, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” There’s vacancy in the cave, loved one, as Jesus said it best in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Remember, the best vacation, the best stress reliever isn’t a place, its a person!

 
“For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.”


Psalm 61:3–4

 
I LOVE YOU!