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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Our Text today is straightforward. “David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him. 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: and there were with him about four hundred men.” 1 Samuel 22:1-2

David here may be a type of Christ, even if only faintly so. He has been rejected by the King of his nation, Saul. In fact, Saul at the very time of our Text has assassins out looking for David!

Jesus was rejected by the Leadership of His nation, the chief priests and scribes and Pharisees and Sadducees! They also sought to kill our dear Lord, successfully so!

But look! David has drawn a crowd!

So did Jesus, by the way! The “common people” loved Him, and the masses followed Him many a place!

David’s “men,” what a motley group! “In distress, in debt and discontented!” But from these unlikely candidates came many a hero, many a valiant warrior!

And Jesus?

He too has drawn a host (innumerable to human minds) of old sinners; distressed, indebted, and discontented and a whole lot worse! And our Lord, in a far deeper and more permanent way that David could have ever hoped … CHANGED, SAVED, REDEEMED His followers and made them fit to do battle against the hordes of Hell, led by the devil!

Wow!

Thank you, Lord Jeus!

For I am one of those!

Changed by Grace!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

By the way, Jesus is our Captain too! (According to Hebrews 2:10.)

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