Robin Hood, David, and Jesus

# 320 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 22:3-5, “Then David went from there to Mizpah of Moab; and he said to the king of Moab, "Please let my father and mother come here with you, till I know what God will do for me." 4 So he brought them before the king of Moab, and they dwelt with him all the time that David was in the stronghold. 5 Now the prophet Gad said to David, "Do not stay in the stronghold; depart, and go to the land of Judah." So David departed and went into the forest of Hereth. (1 Sam 22:3-5) David is waiting for the Lord's plans for him to unfurl. He has asked the king of Moab to watch over his parents until God's plans for him have worked themselves out. After an unspecified amount of time in the stronghold ( I assume the cave of Adullum) God speaks to David through the prophet Gad and tells him to leave the stronghold and head for Judah. David obeys and takes his band of men to the forest of Hareth. Have you ever considered how much the story of David parallels the classic tale of Robin Hood? Robin Hood and his men lived in the safety of Sherwood Forest, David and his men are now abiding in the safety of the forest of Hareth. Robin Hood's prowess with the bow was legendary as was David's ability with the sling. Robin Hood had his band of miscreants called the “merry men.” David had his band of men who were discontented, broke, and in distress, they were called the “mighty men.” And of course that old Sheriff of Nottingham (Saul) ever after him to remove this thorn in the side. Robin Hood often getting the upper hand over the sheriff in most embarrassing ways, just as David had the upper hand over Saul in the cave at En-Gedi, cutting off a piece of Saul's robe while he went to the bathroom. (1 Sam 24:4) Jesus too, roamed the countryside with his band of unlikely followers who would one day turn the world upside down with the gospel message of deliverance to a different kind of poor....the poor in spirit. Jesus too would make an embarrassing spectacle of His ancient foe the devil, we read about it in Col 2:15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” Robin Hood is a myth....David and Jesus are not. And Jesus to this day invites the poor in spirit, the humble to join his band of merry and mighty men. Have you signed on? Surrender your life to Him today! Father, I pray that You Will draw more souls to Jesus today.