Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark
The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
When David was told, "Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors," he inquired of the Lord, saying, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?"
The Lord answered him, "Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah."
But David's men said to him, "Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!"
Once again David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, "Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand."
So David and his men went to Keilah, fought the Philistines and carried off their livestock. He inflicted heavy losses on the Philistines and saved the people of Keilah. (Now Abiathar son of Ahimelech had brought the ephod down with him when he fled to David at Keilah.)
1 Samuel 23:1-6
This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
1st Samuel, Chapter 22 ended in tragedy as Ahimelech and 83 other priests were slaughtered by Doeg the Edomite under order from Saul. Additionally, everything in the town of Nob was destroyed…all the men, women and livestock…except for one of Ahimelech’s sons, Abiathar, who escaped and fled to join David and his four hundred men in Judah. You’ll recall that after receiving Abiathar’s report about Doeg’s mass killing, David feels responsible after remembering Doeg, Saul’s head shepherd, being present when he met with Ahimelech. He knew that Doeg must have taken the specifics of that meeting to Saul and in doing so, sealed the fate of Ahimelech, his family and all of Nob. As compensation for the tragic event that took the lives of his family, David tells Abiathar to stay with him and vows to keep him safe.
As Chapter 23 opens, we see David is confronted with a matter as his constant enemies, the Philistines, were “fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors”. Feeling called to action, David doesn’t rely on his own feelings but instead asks the Lord what he should do saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" And we read where it was the Lord’s will for David to get involved as He replies, “Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah."
And so David went to his newly formed fighting force of four hundred men to tell them what they were to do but found out quickly that they weren’t as trusting and faithful as he was. Scripture tells us that said, “Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!"
Their words of resistance led to David going back to the Lord, this time seeking a reassurance that this is indeed what He wanted David and his men to do…to attack the Philistines at Keilah. And the Lord confirmed His first order with His second, pledging His support by telling David that He would “give the Philistines into (his) hand."
So armed with this reassurance, David and his men went forth in the name and word of the Lord…and the Lord delivered on His promise, allowing them to carry off the Philistines livestock, inflict heavy losses on the Philistines and save the people of Keilah.
This passage shows us two important points that we need to remember as we face challenges in our lives.
First, we need to turn to the Lord for guidance when we are in need of knowing what to do. In seeking what to do about the Philistines and the follow-on resistance of his men to fight, David showed an immediate desire to gain the Lord’s instruction on what he should do. And as he asked, the Lord provided what he needed…just as He will do for us. All we need to do is ask.
Second, the Lord is always there to reassure us when we need it. David was first told to go and attack the Philistines…and as he took that plan to his men, he ran into some unexpected opposition. David didn’t allow this to defeat him. Instead, he went back to the Lord for reassurance…and the Lord delivered, guaranteeing David that He would bring victory. And with that, victory is exactly what happened…for the Lord’s words to us are truth when He speaks them. He never fails to keep His promises. We should never forget this for…
When we are fearful, God tells us, “Do not be afraid.” And we shouldn’t be…because He is Emmanuel…God who is always with us…and always there for us.
When we think a situation is impossible, God reminds us that with Him, “Nothing is impossible.” And then He proceeds to help us navigate through our circumstances until we find our way to victory…not by our strength but only by His strength alone.
When we are in need of peace, He promises and grants us a peace that transcends understanding. And He does this through the One who He gave as the Prince of Peace…a constant and consistent source of comfort when the storms of life form around us.
When we are languishing in the guilt of sin, He brings forgiveness. When the world would demand judgment, He grants mercy and grace. When we should be condemned, instead He loves. All we need do is tell Him we’re sorry...repenting and seeking a new path in our life away from disobedience…and then submitting ourselves so He can lead and guide us to righteous and holy servitude toward the gospel.
When we are in despair, He brings us hope. For He is the light of the world…and whoever follows Him will never walk in darkness but instead have the light of life. (John 8:12) And it’s that light of life that will shine in and through us even in our darkest times…when we trust and believe in His blessed words of reassurance, just as David and his men did as they were brought to victory.
The Lord’s blessed reassurance is ever ready for us. He’s only a prayer away.
Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
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