Sunday Night Bible Study “The Rest of The Story” SLBC (LKLD, FL)
see notes…
The Wilderness as Preparation
The sermon focuses on the life of David during his approximately 15-year period of exile. While David had already been anointed as the future king, he spent years as a man without a country, hiding in caves and fleeing from Saul’s attempts on his life. This “wilderness time” was not a waste of years but a crucible where God shaped David’s character and developed his dependence on divine strength.
The Coexistence of Faith and Fear
David’s experiences demonstrate that joy and sorrow, or faith and fear, can exist simultaneously. Even when David felt distraught or humiliated—such as when he feigned madness to escape Gath—he turned to God as his refuge. The speaker emphasizes that being in God’s will does not exempt one from suffering; rather, it provides a specific place to turn when pressure is applied.
The Seven Exile Psalms
The sermon examines seven specific Psalms written during David’s exile to illustrate how God meets believers in various states of distress:
Psalm 34: God delivers from embarrassment and shame.
Psalm 52: Evil is temporary; power based on self-reliance will not last.
Psalm 54: God is a refuge when betrayed by those closest to you.
Psalm 56: Trusting God specifically in moments of fear.
Psalm 57: The ability to worship even while “hiding in the cave.”
Psalm 63: The wilderness creates a spiritual thirst that only God can quench.
Psalm 142: God is the ultimate shelter when no one else stands up for you.
Conclusion: The Purpose of the Delay
The sermon concludes by reframing difficult seasons or “spiritual wastelands” as preparation. Just as David was not yet ready for the throne, believers may be in a season of waiting because God is molding them for a future promise. The ultimate answer to human problems is not self-help strategies, but the persistent presence of the Holy Spirit.
Key Scripture References
Psalm 34:5: “Those who look at him are radiant with joy. Their faces will never be ashamed.”
Psalm 52:7: A warning against those who trust in riches rather than making God their refuge.
Psalm 56:3: “When I am afraid, I will trust in you.”
Psalm 57:1: Finding refuge in the shadow of God’s wings until danger passes.
Psalm 63:1: “I thirst for you. My body faints for you in a land that is dry and desolate.”
Psalm 142:4-5: Crying out to the Lord when there is no other refuge.
Romans 8:28: (Alluded to) The promise that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him.
Audience Reflection Section
Identifying the Wilderness: What currently constitutes a “wilderness time” in your life? Is it a health struggle, a job transition, or a feeling of spiritual isolation?
The Toothpaste Metaphor: The speaker noted that “people are toothpaste”—when pressure is applied, whatever is inside comes out. When you are under pressure, does the “joy of the Lord” or something else emerge?
False Refuges: Are you attempting to quench a spiritual thirst with “salt water” (the temporary successes and luxuries of life) rather than the “cool water” of God’s Spirit?
Actionable Takeaways
Shift Perspective on Hardship: View current delays or difficulties not as wasted time, but as active preparation for future responsibilities or promises.
Practice Battlefield Worship: Do not wait for circumstances to be fixed before worshipping. Follow David’s example of writing “songs in the cave” by praising God in the midst of the struggle.
Acknowledge Fear: Instead of suppressing fear, use it as a trigger to consciously state, “I will trust in You,” as modeled in Psalm 56.
Community Support: Recognize that while one may feel alone, God often provides “mighty men” or allies (friends and family) to walk through the exile together.
