Secure in God’s Care
David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands. 1 Samuel 23:14
The prophet Samuel had anointed David as the next king of Israel. After the defeat of Goliath, his rapid rise in the ranks of King Saul’s army, and his marriage to the king’s daughter Michal, David must have thought life was as perfect as it could be.
King Saul, however, grew jealous of his popular son-in-law. That jealousy festered into murderous rage, and David fled for his life.
What happened? Had God forsaken him? Had David done something wrong that negated God’s plan for his life? It may have seemed that way as he moved from place to place, trying to protect himself and those who traveled with him.
But God had not forgotten his promise to make David king of Israel, nor had David derailed God’s plans for him. Although David remained a fugitive for many years, God protected him wherever he went. Sometimes David let fear get the best of him (Psalm 13:1); sometimes he put his trust in God (Psalm 13:5). But whether David was full of faith or full of doubt, God remained faithful.
I know God is faithful, but sometimes I wonder if my lack of faith or my disobedience will ruin his plans for me. When those doubts arise, I remind myself of David’s faith struggles. When he doubted, he cried out to God for help. At times, God sent someone to encourage David (1 Samuel 22:1-2; 23:16-18). On other occasions, David found strength in singing and praying (Psalm 57). Sometimes he just did the next right thing (1 Samuel 24 and 26). Each time, God enabled David to grab hold of hope. Then one day, God’s promise to David was fulfilled, and he reigned over all Israel.
Are you struggling to hold on to hope today? God has not forgotten you. Neither has he thrown his plans for your life in the garbage can. He will protect you and sustain you until it’s time for his promises to be fulfilled. Ask him to encourage you as He encouraged David.
DIG DEEPER
Read Psalm 13:5-6, 56:9-13, and 57:7-11, 59:16-17. When David needed to be encouraged, what did he sing about? What songs lift your spirits?
Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13 and 2 Samuel 5:1-5. How old was David when he became king of all Israel? How much time do you think passed between his anointing in 1 Samuel 16 and his coronation in 2 Samuel 5? What does this teach us about God’s timetable?
David wrote often about God’s protection. Read Psalm 32:6-7, 40:11, and 61:7-8. Why was David confident about God’s protection? Can you and I be confident for the same reasons? (See Romans 8:38-39.)
Denise K. Loock
This devotion is part of a series on the But God events of the Bible.