|
By Tammy Pinkston Continuing with a study of the famous King David who wrote most of the book of Psalms… Last week we studied some of David’s times of depression and distress indicated in Psalm 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 and God’s response to those times of depression and distress. This week we’ll study a specific time of distress a little more in depth – when King Saul was trying to kill David and David was, literally, running for his life. Read through the below passages, again comparing with your own favorite translation or compare them using online scripture search tools such as http://bible.crosswalk.com or http://studylight.org Write down some of the things that really speak to you in your computer or paper journal about what David must have been feeling…think of a situation in your own life (past or present) where you’ve felt bad enough that you felt like someone was trying to kill you or like you were going to die, such as a time of anxiety, panic or depression because of life events…take note of similar feelings David expresses, including panic, and be sure and watch for the types of people who come to him that he becomes the leader over… ------------------ 1 Samuel 19:1-2, 4, 6 (The Message) 1 Saul called his son Jonathan together with his servants and ordered them to kill David. But because Jonathan treasured David, 2 he went and warned him… 4 Jonathan brought up David with his father, speaking well of him. "Please," he said to his father, "don't attack David.6 Saul listened to Jonathan and said, "You're right. As God lives, David lives. He will not be killed." 1 Samuel 19:9-10 (The Message) 9 But then a black mood from God settled over Saul and took control of him. He was sitting at home, his spear in his hand, while David was playing music. 10 Suddenly, Saul tried to skewer David with his spear, but David ducked. The spear stuck in the wall and David got away. It was night. 1 Samuel 21:10 (The Message) 11 When the servants of Achish saw him, they said, "Can this be David, the famous David? Is this the one they sing of at their dances? Saul kills by the thousand, David by the ten thousand!" 12 When David realized that he had been recognized, he panicked, fearing the worst from Achish, king of Gath. 13 So right there, while they were looking at him, he pretended to go crazy, pounding his head on the city gate and foaming at the mouth, spit dripping from his beard. 14 Achish took one look at him and said to his servants, "Can't you see he's crazy? Why did you let him in here? 15 Don't you think I have enough crazy people to put up with as it is without adding another? Get him out of here!" 1 Samuel 22:1-2 (NLT) David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father's household heard about it, they went down to him there. 2 All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him. ------------------ I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t have had to FAKE insanity at that point, it would have been plenty real! Did you notice that David “panicked”? The guy who killed a bear and a lion and the giant Goliath when he was just a kid was panicking as an adult! Then when he fled to the cave and his family joined him, so did about 400 other “choice” people, yes even the ones with depression and panic and anxiety (distress). Now I want you to see Psalm 34, which is prefaced by the comment that David wrote this Psalm when he pretended to be insane…a Psalm is a sacred song, a song written to the Lord – you see, David was a musician, and when he poured out his heart to the Lord, he did it through music. It is noted in the preface that he wrote this “song” about the time he pretended to be crazy because he was panicking in fear of his life. Think about the words to this Psalm as you read them, and write down the things that speak the most to you. For example, do you think David FELT all of the things he’s saying in this Psalm while he was panicking and running for his life? If not, how is that a lesson for us today about times of distress, depression, anxiety or panic? Could the lesson be, in part, that if we persevere, God WILL see us through? How does that affect your future? How can that lesson, applied and learned now, help you the next time you deal with a time of depression, panic or anxiety? ------------------ Psalm 34 (NLT) 1 A psalm of David, regarding the time he pretended to be insane in front of Abimelech (Achish), who sent him away. I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. 2 I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are discouraged take heart. 3 Come, let us tell of the LORD's greatness; let us exalt his name together. 4 I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. 6 I cried out to the LORD in my suffering, and he heard me. He set me free from all my fears. 7 For the angel of the LORD guards all who fear him, and he rescues them. 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in him! 9 Let the LORD's people show him reverence, for those who honor him will have all they need. 10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will never lack any good thing. 11 Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the LORD. 12 Do any of you want to live a life that is long and good? 13 Then watch your tongue! Keep your lips from telling lies! 14 Turn away from evil and do good. Work hard at living in peace with others. 15 The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. 16 But the LORD turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth. 17 The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit. 19 The righteous face many troubles, but the LORD rescues them from each and every one. 20 For the LORD protects them from harm – not one of their bones will be broken! 21 Calamity will surely overtake the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished. 22 But the LORD will redeem those who serve him. Everyone who trusts in him will be freely pardoned.
|