The Distressed
Many of the characters we read of in the Old Testament point us to Jesus. They foreshadow the work of Jesus in some way.
King David foreshadows Jesus
King David is one of those. There are some things that King David does that foreshadow the work of Jesus. And in 1 Samuel 22, David is on the run from Saul. And so he escapes to the Cave of Addulam, which is a well-known place in Judah. And I love what the Bible says in 1 Samuel 22: “All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander.”
Now there's a picture of Jesus for you. Those in distress, in debt and discontented gathered around him.
The Distressed Can Go to Jesus
So today, let's talk about being in distress. When you're in distress, do you flee to Jesus? Do you run to Jesus? Do you escape from the distress that you're under and gather around Jesus? Jesus offers this to us. I'm sure you know his words in Matthew 11:28-29. He said, “Come to me (gather around me) all you who are weary and burdened, (distressed, you might add) and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls.”
Oh, yes, friends. You can! You can go to Jesus in your distress. And I don't know what things distress you. Maybe you're in a difficult situation in your family, or at work, with your finances, with your health, or whatever it might be. Go to Jesus with them. He's willing to take you in to that special place and give you rest.
Resting in Jesus
And you know what? You can't find the same rest in anything else. You can't find the same hope in the midst of distress anywhere except in Jesus. When you place your faith in Him and go to him and rest in him, oh what peace you find! I pray today that you will escape to the cave with Jesus. Gather around him as the one who will give you rest from your distress.
