ICS Daily Devotions
All We Need Is God’s Idea
1 Samuel 23:2-4 (NKJV)Therefore David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines, and save Keilah.” But David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” Then David inquired of the Lord once again. And the Lord answered him and said, “Arise, go down to Keilah. For I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
It wasn’t an easy decision for David to make regarding whether he and his men should attack the Philistines, because as the reigning king, it was King Saul’s responsibility to deal with the Philistine armies. Also, if David were to launch the attack, he and his men could find themselves sandwiched between the pursuit of King Saul and the retaliation of the Philistine army. It was a legitimate fear and consideration of the men!
Faith and fear cannot co-exist. We can either allow fear to dictate our lives and be immobilised by it or take the step of faith to trust God to deliver us. Faith is active while fear will keep us passive and even immobilised. Once we know of God’s will for a particular situation, we can then take the step of faith to trust Him. No doubt, we will be flooded with ideas from well-meaning people when we go through our “cave of Adullam” experience, but all we need is God’s idea, so we need to hear from God clearly.
1 Samuel 22:5 (NKJV) Now the prophet Gad said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold; depart, and go to the land of Judah.” So David departed and went into the forest of Hereth.
When David was in the cave, God spoke through the prophet Gad clearly that he should leave and move to the land of Judah. In the Old Testament, God used His prophets or the High Priest as His mouthpiece to speak to His people. Presumably, David also inquired of the Lord through Abiathar the High Priest for a second confirmation when his men raised their concern and fear.
1 Samuel 23:6 (NKJV) Now it happened, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David at Keilah, that he went down with an ephod in his hand.
David took time to inquire of the Lord rather than being rash in taking things into his own hands. No doubt, many of us have suffered the consequences of taking matters into our own hands instead of seeking God and His ways.
As compared to the Old Testament saints who could only hear from the Lord through the prophets or the High Priest, God speaks to us today through the Word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit dwells within us, so we need to learn to tune in to Him who is our teacher, helper and comforter.
Sermon Series: From Isolation to Victory: Cave of Adullam to Keilah
