Reading: “And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him, and he became a captain over them.”—1 Samuel 22:2
Was this not the case when we first sought after Jesus? We were in debt under a heavy load of insolvency. Distress and discontent sadly marked our whole frame. Unconscious where to go, or to whom to seek, and no man cared for our soul. What a precious thought it was, and none but God the Holy Ghost could have put into our heart to go to Jesus! And when we came and He graciously condescended to be our captain, our soul revived!
He took away our spiritual bankruptcy for He paid the whole demands of the law. He removed our distress under the apprehension of divine justice, for God’s justice, by Christ, is not only satisfied, but also glorified. Our discontent could have no further cause for exercise, since He so graciously provided for all our wants, in grace here, and glory hereafter. Hail, that great and glorious Captain of our salvation!
In Christ I see that Leader and Commander which Jehovah, the Father, promised to give to His people. He was truly commissioned by the Father to this very purpose, that every one that is in soul-distress, by reason of sin, and debtors to the broken law of God, might come unto Him, and take Him for their Captain. David’s little army was composed of none originally but distressed souls.
None take Christ for their Captain whose spiritual circumstances are not desperate. None but the man whose heart has felt distress, by reason of sin, and is sinking under the heavy load of guilt, will come under His banner. What condescension of Jesus to receive such and be gracious to them. Go to Him, my brother, as I have done; He will take away your distress by taking away your sin. He will liberate you from all your debt by paying it Himself. He will banish all discontent from the mind, in giving you peace with God by His blood.
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