Mark Carey writes:

Caves, Calling and the Hand of God
1 Samuel 16:13 & 22:1-4

David was anointed by Samuel in front of his brothers. The oil marked him out for kingship, but more than that, “from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David” (1 Sam 16:13). Anointing is God’s declaration: You are mine. You are chosen for purpose. Empowerment is the Spirit’s presence: I will be with you to see it through.

But David didn’t walk into the throne room the next day. Instead, we see a long season of back and forth (1 Sam 17:15). Shepherding and soothing a demonised King Saul. Delivering bread to the frontlines and stepping up to fight Goliath. One moment in the palace, the next pretending to be mad, hiding in a cave, running from a vengeful king.

By 1 Samuel 22, David finds himself in the cave of Adullam - distressed, hunted, and seemingly far from his calling. And yet, that cave becomes a place of rediscovery. Others - also distressed, indebted, and discontented - gather to him. And he becomes their leader. Why? Because even in the ashes of failure, the anointing remains. The Spirit is still at work.

This is discipleship. The journey from worshipper, to overcomer, to leader. Not a straight path, but a refining one. Each test is not to prove our worth, but to deepen our dependence. To fight pride with humility, fear with faith, control with surrender.

David’s words in the cave are a posture for us all: “until I learn what God will do for me.” In the waiting, God is working.

Our Network Churches are like Adullam’s cave - places of refuge for the worn-out and wandering, and more than that, places where God reignites the anointing in His people.

You may feel distant from your calling, but remember:  you are “chosen and appointed to bear fruit that will last” (John 15:16). The cave is not the end of the story - it’s the place where God begins again.

Reverend Canon Mark Carey – CCBN NetworkMark Carey writes: