Day 7: Walking in the way
David said, “Lord, God of Israel, Your servant has heard definitely that Saul plans to come to Keilah and destroy the town on account of me. Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to him?... Lord, God of Israel, tell Your servant.” And the Lord said, “He will.” Again David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?” And the Lord said, “They will” (1 Samuel 23:10-12).
Sovereign Lord, David wrote, My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge (Psalm 62:7). His words were born of trust in a God who had proven Himself faithful over and over in all kinds of trials, dangers, and difficulties. Yet David knew that You are a not a God who can be limited—or a God who works according to the finite vision, timeline and expectations of mortals.
Time and again, David inquired of the Lord, and each time You provided counsel applicable to the specific circumstances. And he stood firm in Your counsel, despite the voices of doubt and dissention around him. In order to test the validity of human reasoning, he appealed to God—the only One who is sovereign, omnipotent, all-wise:
When David was told, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors,” he inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” The Lord answered him, “Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” But David’s men said to him, “Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!” Once again David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, “Go down to Keilah… (1 Samuel 23:1-4).
Yet, despite the fact that You had sent David to Keilah, he later heard that the citizens of Keilah were to betray him to Saul to save themselves. Again David asked for guidance:
Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to him? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? Lord, God of Israel, tell Your servant.” And the Lord said, “He will.” Again David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?” And the Lord said, “They will” (1 Samuel 23:11-12).
Lord, You teach us now what You taught David then, The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations (Psalm 33:11 - NKJV). You show us the practical application of walking in the way of Your laws (Isaiah 26:8)—to obey Your "Go!" when the whole world says "Stay!"; Your "Stay!" when the whole world says, "Go!"
You show us in David's life, and ultimately in the example of our Lord Jesus, that ingratitude, betrayal, danger, and difficulty may pursue us even on the road of obedience, even on the path You have clearly marked "Go Down". But You guide us with Your counsel (Psalm 73:24), and You ultimately bring us up to the place of promise (Exodus 6:8).
Teach our hearts to trust You as we pray, Yes, Lord, walking in the way of Your laws, we wait for You; Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts (Isaiah 26:8).
