Desperation

"All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him."  1 Samuel 22:2

There was one thing in common about the army that gathered around David, the anointed king of Israel: desperation.  They were a group comprised of homeless, thieves, drunks, murderers, adulterers, IRS agents, fallen out government officials, church-goers, church-haters, you name it.  But all of them had one thing in common: desperation.  They had given up on any fulfillment that the world could bring them.  They saw the anointed king of Israel, who was, at that time, and outcast from his own kingdom and on the run for his life. 

This group of desperate men sought to know the king as their only hope.  As a result, the future "mighty men of David" (2 Samuel 23:8-39) were trained by the king; men of great exploits...giant-killers...lion-killers...men of war, unaffected by pain and fear.  The great men of valor that would comprise the Great Army of God's children began with 400 desperate men seeking a king who was not governed by the things of this world. 

Today, we have a new King over Israel.  But the requirement for the army is still the same: desperation.  If this world holds value for you, you are not fit for the King's warfare, and you'll simply be a civilian casualty.  A comfortable world does not need a Savior.  A comfortable, polished, civilized church congregation crucified our Lord Jesus because He threatened their way of life. 

Have you reached the point of desperation for your Savior?