The Bible is full of ironies.
It is amazing to see so many things in the Bible that you would really never expect to see. I mean, for one, the God of the Universe, the Creator of all things, is quite despised and hated by most everyone in the world today. So few respect His authority or care to even consider His laws or concerns. This is an irony of epic proportions. The greatest enemy and hater of mankind, Satan, has almost all beings following after him, while the good God and Lover of man´s soul has been rejected and crucified. How can we explain this paradox?
Another irony is found in that many of the most highly respected people of God were actually some of the greatest sinners. It is quite strange indeed that the Bible never tries to conceal the true character of those who are His. On the contrary, all the defects and errors of His own are actually brought to the forefront for all to see. Ruth, for example, was a Moabite before she converted to Judaism. Moabites practiced idol worship and human sacrifice, yet Ruth found not only forgiveness for her acts but was included in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Another example is Rahab the prostitute, who was wise enough to see that her town was going to be overtaken by the Israelites, and to humble herself enough to switch sides and help them succeed. She also was included in the genealogy of Jesus Christ, which is an amazing testament as to who God will associate with. (I love this... Rahab is mentioned 12 X in scripture!)
Another twist in scripture is quite surprising indeed, one you would truly never really expect to see at all: A king living in a cave.
When we first meet David in I Samuel 16 we see already he is despised and forgotten. The youngest of 8 sons, Jesse doesn´t even think to call David when Samuel wants Jesse to come to the sacrifice with all his kids. After all, someone needs to stay with the sheep. But after Samuel realizes that God´s anointed new king is not among the first seven that had come before him, he asked Jesse if these were all his children.
I Samuel 16:11 And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.”
Once David comes and we hear the words of Samuel, we can be sure that nothing but the best days lie ahead for David...
I Samuel 16:12-13
12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said,
“Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!”
13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers;
and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.
So now... here is the summary of what was spoken about David.
Anoint him. This is the one.
The Spirit of the Lord came upon him from that day forward.
Can you imagine a greater declaration spoken over almost anyone in the entire Bible? Wouldn´t it be the greatest honor to have this spoken over you? To be anointed, chosen, and to have the Spirit always by your side?
Wouldn´t that be the best? Think again. If what you are looking for is a ministry that is well known or popular, this is not your road. If you are looking for prestige and fortune, God´s anointing is not the way for you.
What seemed to be the greatest day in David´s life actually turned out to be the start of his greatest trial, and the greatest twist of sarcasm ever. "I will show you what it truly means to be anointed and chosen, and to walk with God. I will send you to live in the caves."
Sure, David was sent to play the harp for the king. David had his day of glory to begin by beating Goliath in a great battle. But as soon as David was praised for his great victories Saul despised him, and David had to flee for his life.
After Saul had tried multiple times to kill David, he was protected so he could escape. He was fed by a priest. When he was taken before the King of Gath, he feared for his life again that maybe he would be reported to Saul, so he acted like a madman and had saliva running down his beard. Then, in chapter 22, we read this...
I Samuel 22:1-2
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. 2 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.
Now David was a king. A king in a cave. And who were his subjects? His own family, and all who were in distress, in debt, and all who wanted a revolution from their government.
Praise God! The anointing! What power, what glory, what prestige!!! A king in a cave... to OUTCASTS!
We don´t know exactly how long David was in that cave, but he was about 10-13 years old when he was anointed by Samuel, and about 15-17 when he was living with the king and beat Goliath in battle. Soon after this, he was on the run from Saul, living in caves and as a fugitive. Approximately 17 years passed between his calling and him finally becoming king at age 30.
Do you desire the anointing of the Lord upon your life? Would you like the Lord to choose you for His service, so you could walk close to Him always? Weigh the cost carefully of what you pray for. If God has His way with you, you will be just like David... living in a cave.
I choose to live wherever Jesus is, whether it means a castle or a cave. There may be a time for both... you never know.
I choose to live wherever Jesus is, whether it means a castle or a cave. There may be a time for both... you never know.
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ARE YOU READY FOR THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST?
PREPARE NOW WITH THE KNOWLEDGE YOU NEED...
THE NAME OF THE BEAST, AND THE NUMBER OF HIS NAME:
THE ANTICHRIST HAS BEEN REVEALED:
(with links to each fulfilled event embedded)
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