A Way Where There Was No Way
1Sam 23:19-24:2
Synopsis 1Sam 23:19-24:2 10/21/2018
The men of Ziph reported to King Saul that David was hiding in their region. Saul expressed gratitude to them. And he asked them to get more specific information that he could act on.
Eventually Saul got word that David was in the region of Maon south of Hebron. Saul’s forces and David’s forces were moving along on opposite sides of a gorge. David was looking for an escape. But Saul was pressing for an attack.
At that moment, Saul received messengers who informed him that the Philistines had attacked. He disengaged from pursuing David. And then redirected his army to meet the Philistine invaders.
David then moved from Maon to the strongholds of Engedi.
Providential Escape
David and his men had no way out. They were separated from Saul’s army by nothing more than a deep gorge. And while the gorge provided separation for a moment, Saul’s superior forces would eventually flank David’s forces. Once that happened, David’s forces would be quickly surrounded. And that would be the end.
Out of this desperate situation, God saved David and his men. The Philistines struck at just the right moment. Saul felt forced to disengage. So, he redirected his men to meet the Philistine invasion. And this allowed David to escape.
A Way Where There Was No Way
God is always revealing Himself in some new way.
The foundation of His relationship with human beings always remains constant. For example, we are saved by faith. And, we are saved because of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Or, as another example, He has created all things with purpose and for His glory.
But even so, He seems to delight in showing His faithfulness in new and unpredictable ways. His love is fresh and creative every day.
“See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the wilderness I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers.” Isaiah 46:19
