Sermon Archives 5 - Trinity Fellowship

IN AND OUT OF THE STRONGHOLDS

The Teaching Ministry of Rick Trice

Scriptural References:

I SAMUEL 22:1-5; 23:10-18

PS. 18:1-3; 46-48

If I were to ask you what your strongholds were, many of you would tend to think of “strongholds” as the “enemy’s hold” against us. But oftentimes in the Bible, we also find God leading His people to His strongholds. (Read Psalm 18:1-3 “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, my Deliverer…”)

Let’s look at one such instance, beginning in 1 Samuel 22:1—

“David therefore departed from there (the kingdom of Gath) and escaped to the cave of Adullum…and everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented was gathered to him. So he became captain over them…”

David is fleeing for his life; King Saul has put a price on his head, and he has many enemies searching the land for him. If anyone is in need of sanctuary right now, it’s David!

Let’s look a minute at what we can learn from the above passage, as it pertains to our local church:

*GOD WANTS TO BE OUR STRONGHOLD

*WE NEED GOD’S STRONGHOLDS (“ADULLAM” MEANS “REFUGE”)

*THE STRONGHOLD DRAWS THOSE IN DISTRESS, IN DEBT, AND THE DISCONTENTED.

Sound like some of the churches you know? Why did you feel drawn to come to church today? Maybe you had a great week, and just want to praise and worship your Lord. But just maybe you identify with those who were in distress, in debt and discontent.

Let’s read on: “Now the prophet Gad said to David, ‘Do not stay in the stronghold; depart and go to the land of Judah.’”

Earlier, David had said that he would stay in the stronghold “until I know what God will do for me.”

So from this passage, we see that:

*THE STRONGHOLDS ARE TEMPORARY

“UNTIL I KNOW WHAT GOD WILL DO…”

*GOD OFTEN SENDS CONFIRMATIONS (GAD THE PROPHET)

*WHEN IT’S TIME TO LEAVE, WE SHOULD GO WITH PRAISE (“JUDAH” IS THE HEBREW WORD FOR “PRAISE”)

*WHEN IT’S TIME TO LEAVE, WE WILL KNOW FROM GOD

How often do we want to “camp out” in the sanctuary? We need the fellowship of God’s people and the gathering of the saints in praise, worship, and Bible study to let God grow and nurture the Body of Christ. But there comes a time when we must leave the stronghold and go out to the work that God has prepared for our hands.

Later, in chapter 23, we see that David “stayed in the strongholds in the wilderness, and remained in the mountains…” while Saul hunted him. During this time, God sent David a priest to confirm that he was still a “man after God’s own heart.” David instructed the priest to bring his ephod so he could seek God’s will. You see, the ephod was a garment worn only by the priests when seeking God’s voice. But to us today, who are the temple of the Holy Spirit, the ephod symbolizes our willingness to be ready to discern God’s will.

From this passage, we learn that:

*GOD WILL PROVIDE FUTURE STRONGHOLDS WHEREVER WE NEED THEM.

*GOD WILL SEND COMFORTERS TO STRENGTHEN OUR HAND

*IF WE ALLOW GOD TO PREPARE US, WE WILL DISCERN HIS WILL MORE READILY.

Hundreds of years later, after our Lord Jesus rose from the dead and walked among his followers, he said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the father has put in his own authority…but you shall receive power…and you shall be my witnesses.” (Acts 1:7-8)

You see, God’s strongholds are for our rest and nurturing, and are always in His timing. But we are not to remain in the strongholds forever. We need to find God’s strongholds! use them, when needed! But move out of the strongholds when it’s time! (God’s time, not ours)

And when we move out, to do so in praise for what God has done and what He is about to do (even when He hasn’t revealed it yet).

And at all times, like David, ask God for his directions, be ready to hear His answer, and be ready to act!

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