One day David finds himself trapped in a complicated matter of international diplomacy. Saul’s quest to murder David had driven him to live among the Philistines. A year later the Philistines begin assembling armies to attack Israel. This creates a sticky situation. David claims to be loyal to the Philistines, but he knows he will one day be the king of Israel—and the Philistines will resume their place as his enemy. But David is outnumbered: he cannot defeat either the Philistines or Saul’s armies (and he has sworn not to raise his hand against the anointed King Saul). Should David go to battle against Saul, using his military power to help defeat the armies of Israel, armies David will one day need on his side? Or should he go into the battle only to secretly turn on the Philistines? David can’t ask the Philistine king to excuse him from the battle because that will prove his loyalties are divided. David is stuck. There is no way out.
But God provided a way out. Suddenly all the Philistine generals demanded their king send David home.
“Why are these Hebrews here? … Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place … Let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become an adversary to us” 1 Samuel 29:3-4.
The Philistine leaders were convinced David was unpredictable. Dangerous. He was a Hebrew and could not be trusted. The Philistine king disagreed, but his men forced his hand. He apologized to David, but sent him away. This unexpected conflict not only got David out of a tricky situation, but also made him available to handle ANOTHER crisis of international diplomacy!
When David’s men returned to their home in the Philistine city of Ziklag, they discovered a raiding army of Amalekites had looted and burned the city and had captured all the people and livestock. That was another close call (the people were safe), but God had quickly brought David and his army home just in time to execute an incredible rescue operation. David and his army fought the Amalekites for 24 hours.
“And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away, and David rescued his two wives. And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken from them. David recovered all” 1 Samuel 30:18-19.
When you find yourself in sticky situations—whether complicated matters of international diplomacy, or the more common problems of work, school, and relationships—trust in God. He rescued David. In fact, God used the small matter of Philistine men who refused to trust David to solve not one but TWO huge problems facing David and his 600 warriors. God knows your needs.
God knows your needs not only before you ask him. God knows your needs before YOU know your needs.
He can see three steps ahead. God knows what is coming and he will take care of you and yours.
“What time I am afraid, I will put my trust in thee” Psalm 56:3.
“In God have I put my trust. I will not be afraid. What man can do to me” Psalm 56:11.
Trust Him.
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