Overcoming Fear in the Re-Purposed Life

10 And David rose and fled that day from Saul and went to Achish the king of Gath. 11 And the servants of Achish said to him, “Is not this David the king of the land? Did they not sing to one another of him in dances,

‘Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands’?”

I. Fear Leads to Poor Life Decisions - David is running to the realm of the Philistines…his enemies. - 6 Therefore, I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. 1

12 And David took these words to heart and was much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. 13 So he changed his behavior before them and pretended to be insane in their hands and made marks on the doors of the gate and let his spittle run down his beard. II. Fear Leads us to Play the Fool - Proverbs 1:26-27

14 Then Achish said to his servants, “Behold, you see the man is mad. Why then have you brought him to me? 15 Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to behave as a madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?” III. We Overcome Fear through Wisdom - David knows that madmen are left alone as oricals of the gods. - Proverbs 1:33

22 David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam.

IV. We Overcome Fear by Communing with God - Hill of Adullam overlooks the Valley of Elah, where David defeated Goliath. • God was taking David “back to start”. - Psalm 57:1-3 – Confession of the need for God’s Grace. - Psalm 57:7-11 – Confession of Confidence in God’s Faithfulness.

1 Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (2 Ti 1:6–7). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers. - Psalm 34:4 (when David was faking insanity) God delivers from fears.

And when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. 2 And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men. 2

V. We Overcome Fear through Communing with Others - Psalm 142:4 – “No one cares for me”. - Psalm 142:7 – “The Righteous will surround me”.

2 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 21:10–22:2). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.