Unity in Adversity

1 Samuel 22:1–5

Distress can unite people. In difficult moments, in shared pain, we discover our true friends. When David fled from King Saul, his divided family was suddenly supportive of him, as was every man in the region who was distressed or indebted (1 Sam 22:1–2; cp. 1 Sam 17:28–30). A shared sense of despair reveals the humanity in us all, helping us to get past our disputes and work together for one purpose.

For a fragmented band of brothers to be united beyond their immediate circumstance, they must have one purpose. That’s exactly what David them: They would fight Israel’s greatest enemies - the Philistines - together (1 Sam 23:1–5). David took a crisis and turned it into an opportunity. It took courage derived from faith to act. When most people would have been paralyzed by fear, David was prepared for action. David’s strength in adversity enabled him to unite God’s people for a purpose, and his God-centered focus helped them.

When things get difficult, we should be aware of how we are being subtly drawn away from God’s work. If we can stay focused on Christ, we can stay focused on God’s purposes. Then we will find the ability to  move forward in God's will. We need the same response: Focus on God and His work!