Get a Grip

 Read 1 Samuel 23. 

As David endeavored to lay low and stay out of sight, the Philistines crossed the border from Gath and attacked the city of Keilah.  If he were not on the run, Saul would have given David orders to launch a counterattack with Israel's army.  But now it was no longer David's job.  David could have stood by and let the enemy win and let Saul experience the failure of not protecting his own people, but these were David's people too.  He prayed and God said, "Go." 

There are times when we act, not because it is our responsibility, but because it is the right thing to do. 

The LORD gave the victory (v.4) and provisions for David's small army.  While there Abiathar, a priest, joined David and informed him of Saul's plans to lay siege to Keilah in order to kill David.  David again inquired of God as to what to do.  What thanks did he receive for saving the city and people of Keilah?  Instead of gratitude from Saul, he launched a full scale pursuit against David.  Instead of gratitude and protection of the city of Keilah, the people would easily have surrendered him to Saul.  

When David left Keilah to hide in the wilderness of Ziph, his band of men had grown to 600.  Daily, he feared for his life.  The questions remained as to why this was happening to him without cause and how long would he be running for his life.  Surely, questions of his faith arose.  

Two faith-strengthening things then took place.  First, God sent Jonathan.  Saul could not find David but the Lord directed Jonathan right to him.  Why did Jonathan risk being seen as a traitor and come to David?  Verse 16b shows the true mark of godly friend; he "strengthened his hand in God."  The implication is that under the stress, David's faith may have been slipping a bit.  We all need people in our lives who will come alongside us at those times of crises to encourage us and to help us increase our grip on our faith in the Lord.  

Next, the Ziphites betrayed David and gave Saul the general location of the hiding place.  It was under such life-threatening conditions that David penned some of the Psalms.  Psalm 54 was written in the wilderness of Ziph.  "Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life." (Psalm 54:4) 

God’s help and a godly friend will increase the grip on our faith.