Perceive: David writes this Psalm during his time in the cave of Adullam. There are two main parts to this psalm. In the first half, David cries out to God with his complaint (1-4). He feels overwhelmed, desperate, and all alone. In the second half, he asks for relief from his circumstances (5-7). He hopes and prays for deliverance and seeks to make God his refuge. According to verse 7, he feels imprisoned by his situation. Clearly, David is in pain and this psalm he expresses his pain to the one source he can always go to, the Lord his God. Through David’s soulful expressions, we too can learn to pray better and more effectively.
 
Practice:  When we feel trapped in a difficult circumstance it can often feel like a prison. In such situations, it often appears as though our very life is at stake and our cries to God are despairing. God is especially inclined to hear us when we groan in desperation over a seemingly impossible situation. He loves to act to show His glory and advance His kingdom. Dramatic deliverance provides encouragement to God’s people. It was for David, and it will for you.
 
Pray: I cry aloud to You O Lord, my God. Hear my plea for relief. Free me from the prison of ___________________ or give me supernatural strength to persevere. May You be glorified in my life today. ​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: After hitting rock bottom, David escapes to the cave of Adullam where he finds some momentary seclusion, safety, and rest. Feeling all alone, he pours out his heart to God. In this dark and damp setting, he finds God answering his prayers and sending him his extended family members and then four hundred malcontents. Most likely his family members were hunted by Saul.  The four hundred malcontents were men who were in distress (or in some trouble), in debt, and discontented (having some grievance or major loss). In a way unique to the Lord, David becomes their leader, and he starts building an army of well-trained men. He is no longer alone or without people who want to be with him.
 
Practice:  God likes doing things in some strange places, and he often sends some strange people into our lives at just the right moment and time. These people were castaways themselves and could only improve their lives by helping David become king. David’s leadership over this band of misfits illustrates his resourcefulness, ability to lead, and skills at motivating others. It takes a competent and skillful leader to build an effective fighting force out of the kind of men God sent him. If you are facing difficult circumstances that make you feel captive, consider getting closer to the people God has placed in your life. They are there for a reason!
 
Pray:  O Lord, help me face the things that make me feel like a prisoner trusting in You as well as seeing who You send to help.​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: David wrote this Psalm because of his experience when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away.  This song contains five main sections: he vows to praise God and invites others to join him (1-3), he shares how God answered his prayers (4-7), and he exhorts others to seek the Lord (8-11). He states that men who fear God don’t lie, they turn from evil, do good, and seek peace (12-14), and he ends with a set of moralistic principles from which to live (15-22). David wants the reader to know God pays attention to those who call on Him.
 
Practice:  Whether God does or does not provide escape from troubling times, we can be certain He always hears and acts on behalf of those who love and serve Him. There is no absolute assurance that God will deliver all true believers from adverse circumstances. Unfortunately, in our evil world sometimes people starve to death and die as martyrs. Over history, thousands of Christian men and women have been beaten to death, whipped, fed to lions, or beheaded. God can and often delivers His people so we must never give up hope. No matter what the outcome of a horrific circumstance, we must acknowledge that God sees and cares. We can and must place our faith, hope, and trust in Him.
 
Pray:  Lord, help me to see You in every one of my battles and to have hope only in You. No matter what the outcome, I trust in You, Your judgments, and Your actions. ​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: David penned this psalm regarding his experience when the Philistines seized David in Gath. This song contains six sections: he pours out his complaint (1-2), he shares his confidence in God amidst his fears (3-4), he continues his complaint about evil men (5-6), and he asks God to help him (7-8). He acknowledges his faith in God over the fear of men (9-11), he ends with a vow, a spirit of thankfulness and a commitment to continue walking with God (12-13). Oh, that we would all face our fears in the same way David faces the fearful situations in his life.
 
Practice:  Trusting God’s care during a fearful situation takes faith and discipline. If you lack faith and discipline, the Lord is apt to use a fearful circumstance in your life to bring about a growing trust and faith. When God is leading the cause of His man, those who work against His man will never succeed. Jesus said, “Do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul.” (Matthew 10:28). As serving men of God, we should fear God, who controls this life and the next. The next time you face a horrific circumstance, remember God sees every tear shed, every fear felt, and every discouraging moment. Lean on Him because He cares for you.
 
Pray: O God I praise You and thank You for all the circumstances I find in my life both comfortable and difficult. I put my trust in You, and I shall not be afraid of man. ​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: Fear does strange things to a man’s ability to reason. In this situation, David may have thought going to Gath was a good idea since Saul would never think to look for him in that location. It isn’t long until the servants of king Achish recognize David and even know the latest song in Israel. This revelation increased David’s fear to the point he felt so desperate for his life that he acted insanely and let saliva drip from his beard. It was customary at this time in history not to harm mentally ill people. Even though he was protecting himself by acting insane, David finally hit rock bottom.
 
Practice:  At this point in the life of David he has lost his job, his wife, his counselor, his best friend, and now he has lost his self-respect. In the case of David, it appears the Lord is removing all the people and things he would be tempted to rely on, rather than leaning into the Lord. Anytime we lean on something rather than on the Lord; He will remove the crutch. Crutches come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Things like cash, careers, cute girls, and counselors to name a few. Whenever God removes a crutch from your life, there will be pain and instability. This pain and instability is the Lord’s way of driving you back into leaning on Him.
 
Pray:  O mighty God, show me those things where I am leaning on something or someone other than You. Gently remove any crutch that hinders me from walking by faith and living in hope.   ​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: On the run, David goes to Nob where he encounters the priest Ahimelech. The priest recognizes David and is a bit fearful as to the reason Israel’s greatest warrior is visiting his tabernacle by himself. The arrival of David without an escort seemed alarming, so the priest was afraid and asked some questions. Our hero answers with a fabricated story of an urgent secret mission and then asks for bread. This bread, called the bread of the Presence, symbolized two things: God’s presence among His people and God’s provision for their physical needs. After replacing the bread with fresh loaves, it was eaten only by the priests on duty. Consecrated bread was special and considered holy in its use to worship God.
 
Practice:  In this situation, Ahimelech had to go against the Law to give the consecrated bread to David, because the bread was supposed to be given only to the priests (Leviticus 24:5-9). Ahimelech put David’s need for food ahead of religion ritual. This action is a great example of upholding the higher law of compassion and love over religious ceremony and tradition. In His ministry, Jesus referred to this incident to show that God’s laws are designed to focus on worship, not works (Matthew 12:1-8). If we become more concerned about the means of worship than the one we worship, we lose our ability to see and sense the power and presence of our blessed Savior.
 
Pray:  Lord, open my eyes to see and fill me with Your inward abiding presence. Enable me to experience more of You on a daily basis.  

​This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: After learning the truth of Saul’s intentions for murder, Jonathan executes the agreed upon plan in a shooting field using a small young boy. A young boy was less likely to realize anything was wrong as he retrieved the three arrows. After the boy departs, David and Jonathon embrace and weep over the situation. It is obvious to both that unless their present circumstances change, they would never again enjoy times together of camaraderie and fellowship. After Jonathan gives a heartfelt set of farewell comments reminding David of the covenant they made to each other, they part company. They would later see each other one more time (1 Samuel 23:16-18).
 
Practice:  Jonathan is a shining example of a loyal and faithful friend. Sometimes he was forced to deal with close relatives making horrific demands of his closest friend. Still, he was loyal to his father and his friend. Sometimes loyalty is a costly quality for the person who maintains his integrity no, matter what happens. It is a selfless part of loving others. To be loyal, you cannot live only for yourself. Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).
 
Pray:  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit enable me to live a life that is loyal to my friends and family. Help me clearly see when to lay down my life for the benefit of others. ​


This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: While David is hiding in a field, Jonathan returns home to determine if his father was truly bent on murdering his best friend. Unfortunately, Jonathan learned by his father’s words and actions just how evil the situation had developed. Saul was so angry of this missed opportunity that he swears at Jonathan, essentially calling his son a bastard and then attempts to end his life by spearing him with a javelin. Imagine the atmosphere in this banquet hall during a time where the attendants should be laughing and enjoying the bounty of a feast. Instead, they see his abusive speech, angry temper, and physical violence.
 
Practice:  King Saul continues to work at keeping control of the throne for himself and future generations even though God clearly told him his rule and reign was over (1 Samuel 13:13-14). Realizing he will never have God’s help or blessing again, he continues to exercise human means to seek David’s demise. If Jonathan wanted to be king, he could have killed David and made his father temporarily content. Instead, he maintained a love and loyalty for God and his best friend even at his peril.
 
Pray:  O mighty God, help me see and deal with all the times I am tempted to use human means to achieve an ungodly end. Only with Your help can I see You, hear Your word, and live a faith-filled life.  
​This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: Gradually, David is losing all his support. Up to this point in the story, he has lost his position in the royal court, his job in the military, his wife, ties to the royal family, and the input from his spiritual advisor. Feeling a bit unstable, he now turns to the next person he relies on, and that is Jonathan, his best friend. After a brief dialogue, they devise a plan to test Saul’s intentions. Knowing that someday David would be king, Jonathan asks David to keep a promise regarding his children. As we will see in later chapters, David keeps his word (2 Samuel 9).
 
Practice:  When we are in deep times of troubling circumstances, we often lean on others when we should be leaning on the Lord. If we attempt to settle our human struggles in a human and social way, we will often be facing internal conflicts and unstable behavior. If we attempt to solve our struggles as loyal to God and His word, many of our choices would be much clearer.  
 
Pray:  Thank you for my loyal friends __________. Help us always stay loyal to You first and foremost and obedient to Your word and ways.  

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: This was the second time that Saul joined a group of prophets and prophesied. This group of men may have been attending school under Samuel in preparation for future ministry. Unlike the first time (1 Samuel 10) Saul is obsessed with jealousy over David’s growing fame, growing influence, growing success, and growing favor with God’s people. In a strange exercise of God’s power, the Spirit of God immobilizes Saul, so he is unable to bring harm to David. While prophesying, Saul strips his royal clothes and lies naked before the world. It is as though God’s rejection of him would not allow him to wear royal attire. While Saul is prophesying, David flees.
 
Practice:  There is a big difference between being used by God and being usable by God. God used Saul while David was usable. Saul was in a trance speaking the word of God although he was far from thinking God’s thoughts, while David was praying to God and seeking His face. God rejected one, selected and anointed the other. God can use anyone, anytime, and in any way He chooses. Are you a useable man or a used being?
 
Pray:  Great and mighty God, forgive me for any times I have acted stubborn and resisted Your molding me into an image that is more Christlike. Help me to stay usable as a godly vessel.  

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com