The Bible features reports of several fugitives forced to run for their lives. Jacob fled after he stole Esau’s birthright. Moses fled after he killed an Egyptian. Joseph fled to Egypt with Mary and the baby Jesus to escape the savage hand of Herod. But surely no fugitive faced greater peril than David. King Saul made David’s capture and death not only his personal quest, but the mission of his entire army: “And Saul called all the people together to war … to besiege David and his men” 1 Samuel 23:8.
This was a time of singular focus for David, a man who was used to wearing many hats. He was a shepherd, poet, friend, worshipper, leader, military man, musician, songwriter, and future king. But as long as he was running for his life and living in caves, I’m pretty sure he was focused on simply staying alive.
And just then someone brought him a problem…
“Then they told David, saying, ‘Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshing floors.’ Therefore, David inquired of the Lord, saying, ‘Shall I go and smite the Philistines?’ And the Lord said unto David, ‘Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah’” 1 Samuel 23:1-2.
Suddenly David has to put on his “future king” hat and rescue one of the cities of Israel. But his men are afraid. So he goes back to God a second time.
“Then David inquired of the Lord yet again. And the Lord answered him and said, ‘Arise, go down to Keilah. For I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.’ 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 23:4-5.
While I was a college student, God called me to youth work in two churches. Years later I experienced a dramatic calling from God to attend law school. Nevertheless, when I was informed about a death at one of those churches, I knew I had to set aside my concerns about finals and attend that funeral and bless that family.
I felt a conviction that while the earlier calling was not necessarily more important than what God had called me to later, that prior calling deserved priority, if only because it came first.
But this is no hard-and-fast rule. God may lead you differently. These are matters requiring prayer and wise counsel. But as David had to prioritize his anointing as king over his position as the leader of a band of fugitives, so we sometimes have to remember and prioritize the callings or the messages God gave us in the past.
Sometimes prior callings take priority over present callings and present circumstances.
And notice what David did: he went to God not once, but TWICE. He made absolutely certain that God was calling him to fight the Philistines and save the city of Keilah. Not only did he save the city, winning its loyalty, but he also acquired Philistine cattle that he probably used to feed his 600 men. This was not only a political victory, but God’s provision for men living on the run.
Sometimes when you are the most anxious, when circumstances seem the most risky, God may call you to give your attention to something that looks like a pointless, even dangerous distraction.
Seek God. Pray. Make absolutely certain of His voice. And then obey him. Trust and obey.
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