This time (I’ve studied him before) through the life of David, I am appalled at how many times the Lord delivered this young man, one whose heart was “in tune with God!”

For example … “Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.” 1 Samuel 24:2

Three thousand men, the best of Saul’s army!

All trying to find and kill David!

Yet without success!

Why?

Maybe because, using David’s own words from Psalm 34:7 … “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”

Or God’s Power so palpably real that … “A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.” Psalm 91:7

And even though Isaiah lived later than David, nonetheless the Truth certainly applies … “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” Isaiah 54:17

Or did David know (and believe) Psalm 121 … “My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”

Wow!

When a man lives right before God, he (and his few friends) has this kind of potential … “Five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.” Leviticus 26:8

Three thousand (3,000) enemies!

One (1) God, the only living God!

And David survives!

Even thrives!

And dear friend reading here this morning, the same God can protect you as well!

No matter the odds!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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Read this Account from 1 Samuel chapter 23. See if you deduce the same spiritual lesson that the Lord showed me.

“24 David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon. 25 Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David: wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon. 26 And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them. 27 But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land. 28 Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines.”

Saul tried to kill David for years.

And nearly did on several occasions, one of which is described in today’s Bible Text.

The same mountain, just different sides!

The wicked one was “closing in” on the godly one.

Sounds like David (and his men) were near defeat, destruction!

THEN GOD, I BELIEVE, WORKED A MIRACLE. A MIRACLE IN “TIMING,” IF NOTHING ELSE.

At the very moment when Saul (with his army) was about to pounce … God raised up an enemy to oppose Saul, to attack his land!

Saul had to “run” back home to fight the Philistines.

And David again escaped!

I guess Saul, his ways, were not pleasing to the Lord! For “when a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Proverbs 16:7, King James Version

God here used a heathen nation, its army, to protect his darling David!

Christian, in your lifetime, what has God used to keep you safe?

“The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” Psalm 34:7

David knew this to be true, by experience … again and again!

We thank The, Lord.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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One single Verse today …

“And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.” 1 Samuel 23:14

Living in the desert (the word “wilderness” is “midbar” and is translated “desert” 13 times in the Old Testament) David would have managed without any of the normal conveniences of life, even for that ancient age.

Spartan existence!

Add “six hundred men” accompanying him wherever he went (1 Samuel 23:13) and the pressure would be all the greater!

The noun “strong holds” in our Verse is indicative of any “hiding place” from encroaching danger.

Even the verb “abide” (“yashab”) means to inhabit a place consistently, for some duration of time.

Lasting pressure! Sustained stress!

The add Saul to the situation. Now intent on murdering David, the King had his assassins looking for the young Psalmist of Israel every single day. Danger indeed!

How did the young man live under such duress?

He learned, in a fresher and stronger way, to trust in the Lord!

To write Lines like this … “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” Psalm 56:3

But somehow, against all human logic, David survived!

How?

Because God protected Israel’s next King!

Read this again … “And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.”

The verb “delivered” is “nathan,” God did not “give” David to Saul!

God’s clear Hand of Protection!

David, pen in hand, again … “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” Psalm 34:7

Dear reader here today, this is the same Lord Who is protecting you as well!\

Bless His Good Name!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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During David’s days as a “fugitive” from King Saul, he heard of a city (a little place called Keilah) that had been overrun by the Philistines, Israel’s perennial enemies.

“Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.” 1 Samuel 23:1

Their crops, stolen!

David, with his good heart, had become sort of a benefactor to the communities in which he lived, sojourned, secreted himself.

The people of Keilah needed help!

What was David to do?

The next verse, 1 Samuel 23:2 tells us: “Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines?”

When indecisive, seek the Lord’s Face, His Counsel!

“And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.”

Which David (and his mighty men) did!

“So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.” 1 Samuel 23:5

Victory!

But why write about this incident, and call it a devotional? Has it any practical value for us today?

Yes indeed.

PICK YOUR BATTLES CAREFULLY, UNDER THE CLEAR DIRECTION OF THE DEAR LORD!

Friends, you cannot fight every enemy that comes your way. If so, you will become hardened and embittered. You cannot correct every errant situation in life!

So we must, like David, ask the Lord when to engage!

And I promise you, He will let you know!

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Minor skirmishes might not be worth the time and effort.

But when the fundamentals are involved … when the Philistines need a good “whipping” … FIGHT!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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Some days are so busy I just can’t get everything done. And this whole week seems to have fallen into that “I am behind” category!

(Recording this month’s new CD Sermon had to be a priority. A little gift we mail to each person who in a given month shares some financial gift with us … to keep us on the road preaching God’s amazing Word. That joyful little task was done late yesterday, just before we left for the Revival Service. I am preaching this week one of the Minor Prophets, verse by verse. Today preparation must be made for a new “Evening Meditation” video, plus recording it somewhere!)

For these reasons I thought this morning I would tell you about an interesting way to study the life of David. Notice this fresh concept … “The Life of David as Seen Through His Psalms!”

What Psalm did David write one night as he watched sheep? How did he feel as he fled from Saul? Did he pray as he hid in a cave? What did he say as he repented from sin?

These particular Psalms tells us a lot about David, peering down into his very heart and soul!

This (highly recommended) Book, written by one of my favorite Preachers of all time, is absolutely thrilling! By the way, that’s Dr. Alexander Maclaren.

Readily available still, spend a few dollars and place this little treasure in your library.

Yes, David is now … “published!”

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Just a little “book hint” today!

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