A Light in the Darkness (1 Samuel 23:15-29)

David obediently rescued the city of Keilah from Philistine attack, but was then divinely directed to leave the city's protective walls before they would turn against him. He was considered a hero while the need existed, but would be rejected into the hands of King Saul should he stay.

On foot and fleeing from Saul with his growing band of nearly 600 men, David was expending himself according to God's will. We can see that God's eyes are closely on him, twice providing light in David's situational darkness.

Firstly, Jonathan came to David's hiding place to remind him of their covenant in friendship. Jonathan, son of King Saul, rejected any future claim to the throne. Jonathan respected God's anointing on David and subjected himself to it, loyally serving David as the future King. Jonathan's arrival brought a welcome word of encouragement following the deliverance of Keilah. He specifically reminded David of the future throne over Israel, of his loyalty to their covenant (18:3), and of Saul's inability to find David. What a timely encouragment to help prepare David's heart for what comes next!

A second light in the darkness came just before Saul trapped David and his men. So close to capturing the small Davidic army, Saul abandoned the chase. God's hand allowed the sin of the Philistines to again rise up against unfaithful Israel. As King, Saul rejected his pursuit of David in order to protect the land and the people. Saul decided that this in-house scuffle between a Benjamite and a Judean would have to wait.

The Lord's encouragment to us is not a promise to remove suffering, trial, or difficulty. Instead, his encouragement to us often comes as a reminder of who He is. Trials seem to encompass us on the dark mountain. Nearly surrounded, God gives us the light of hope to see His ability to bring us to what lies beyond our dark moment. He is a God who communicates hope, and allows our situation to teach us to cling to Him in trust. David was learning to cling and to rest in a God of hope as he lived in a world of darkness.

© 2007 by Kendra Hinkle