Distressed, in debt, or discontent?

1 Samuel 22:2 says,  All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him (David), and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him.

In the passage above, David was hiding in a cave. He was fleeing King Saul who had become angry, jealous, and fearful of David, and wanted to kill him. King Saul had once been anointed and called by God, but disobeyed God (in 1 Samuel 13) when he went before the prophet Samuel. He could not wait for Samuel so he offered up a burnt offering himself. King Saul did this because he did not trust God, and wanted to take matters into his own hands. Then, when Samuel finally arrive, the Lord spoke through him and said:  your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command  (1 Samuel 13:14). A couple of chapters later, the Lord told King Saul to kill all the Amalekites, and all of the livestock (1 Samuel 15: 3), sparing nothing; but King Saul disobeyed. He kept the King (Agag) alive, and kept the best and choice animals (1 Samuel 15:9). When confronted by Samuel, Saul had much pride. He felt he didn't do anything wrong, then blamed the soldiers for keeping the sheep and cattle, saying they saved them to sacrifice them to God. To which Samuel responded,  To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of the rams (1 Samuel 15:22). The Lord was very displeased with King Saul, and even regret making King Saul (1 Samuel 15:11). In the next chapter, God tells Samuel to anoint David, a shepherd and the youngest of all of his brothers (the most unlikely candidate).

Okay, now that I have given you some background, let's continue. David was very much afraid of King Saul, and the kings of the surrounding area of which he fleeing to. He had done nothing wrong; yet, King Saul was pursuing him and was determined to end his life. King Saul saw David as a threat, and goes on a mission to put David to death. David didn't have a vast army with thousands of chariots and weapons (like King Saul). In reality, he didn't have much of anything; he had no resources. His parents and brothers went to him when he was in the cave of Adullam (they were probably afraid of their lives as well). So, about 400 people, who the Bible describes as being in distress, in debt, or discontent decided to follow David. David didn’t have much, but he trusted in God, and God's favor was upon him. Maybe some of his followers saw the hand of God in David's life, but others were simply lost or desperate. Nonetheless, they risked it all to join David. King Saul after all, was still king. Betraying the king would make you his enemy. Yet, they had come to a point of such desperation and need, that they turned from Saul towards David. Before we continue, let me give you some definitions of those three words from Merriam-Webster:

Distress- a : pain or suffering affecting the body or mind. b : a painful situation. c : a state of danger or desperate need

Debt- a state of being under obligation to pay or repay someone or something in return for something received

Discontent- lack of satisfaction with one's possessions, status, or situation : lack of contentment. a : a sense of grievance. b: restless aspiration (desire to achieve something high or great).

Do you fit any of these categories, or more than one? Maybe you're following the wrong thing (person, goal, status), or you're on a course that is leading you no where. Maybe you're worried, afraid, hopeless, in debt, or desperate. Maybe you're just dissatisfied. If you are feeling any of these, I believe God is reaching out to you today. He wants you to know that He can help you, and there is more to the life you are currently living. But it's up to you to make that change. God can do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think  (Ephesians 3:20). Maybe its time for you to follow Jesus. Will you be brave, and choose to a new path, direction, course, or   leader? Are you all out of options, and willing to make a change, regardless of the cost? Do not fear, because God fears nothing, and He for you. If you've come to this place, then I invite you to say the following prayer:

Lord God,

You know my situation. I am (distressed, in debt, or discontent). I am (lost, going in circles, or have reached a dead end) and I need Your help. I am done doing things my way and want to follow You. I have hope and faith that You are the answer, and that You will come to my aid. Please forgive me of my sins, my pride, and trying to do everything myself. Forgive me of all the things that I have done that are displeasing to You. I believe that Jesus died for my sins and make him my Lord and Savior today. Come into my life and heart Jesus, and take the wheel. Take control and teach me your ways. May I find rest in you. Thank You Father God for Your son Jesus and for his resurrection. I will put my trust in You, and I give You praise. In Jesus' name I pray, amen. 

If you have said the prayer above, I will be praying for you. It won't be easy, and you will feel uncomfortable at times, but put your hope, faith, and trust in God. For Isaiah 45:5-6 says  I am the LORD, and there is no other;  there is no God but Me.  I will equip you for battle,  though you have not known Me,  so that all may know,  from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting,  that there is none but Me.  God can do for us what no one and nothing else can. There is no one like Him, and He will meet your needs.

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father,

There is no other God but You, yes its true. We acknowledge this today. Father, many of us are in distress, in debt, dissatisfied, and in need of You. Some of us are weary, hopeless, helpless, and lost. Please intervene Lord, and be their Help, their Comfort, their Leader, their Savior, their Defender, and their Guide. Give them the courage to change courses. Protect them and send Your angels to minister and to protect them. Forgive us for trusting in ourselves, and looking to other things to help, fulfill, or satisfy us. Those things are meaningless and useless. Enlighten us and open our hearts, minds, ears, and eyes to what Jesus has done for us. Be with us on this journey, and I thank You that You've already given us all that we need. Meet our needs according to Your riches and glory, and may we find rest. All glory, praise, power, honor, and dominion is Yours. In Jesus' name, amen.

Prayerfully,

Pam