Originally posted: 12/10/2019
So Saul returned from pursuing David and went to meet the Philistines; therefore they called that place the Rock of Escape, (23:28).
David needed an escape, but not from something… to Someone, to his Rock of Escape.
While the accounts of such injustice and betrayal can leave us with a sense of despair and hopelessness, we learn from David’s story of faith and dependence on his only Hope for Escape: His timing is never late and His deliverance is sure, for He alone is Our Rock of Escape.
Consider Him, Our Rock of Escape
- Even when everyone around us is fearful, He is Our Rock of Escape.
- Then they told David, saying, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are plundering the threshing floors.” 2 So 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 deliver Keilah.” 3 But David’s men said to him, “Behold, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the ranks of the Philistines?” (23:1-3).
- Even when betrayed by those we have helped, He is Our Rock of Escape.
- Will the men of Keilah surrender me into his hand? Will Saul come down just as Your servant has heard? O Lord God of Israel, I pray, tell Your servant.” And the Lord said, “He will come down.” 12 Then David said, “Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?” And the Lord said, “They will surrender you,” (23:11-12).
- Even when surrounded by overwhelming odds, He is Our Rock of Escape.
- Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain; and David was hurrying to get away from Saul, for Saul and his men were surrounding David and his men to seize them, (23:26).
- Even when it is the eleventh hour and all seems hopeless, He is Our Rock of Escape.
- But a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid on the land.” 28 So Saul returned from pursuing David and went to meet the Philistines; (23:27-28).
How do we respond to Him, Our Rock of Escape?
David knew the LORD as his Rock of Escape through his experiences of trials, hardships, injustice, and betrayal. It was in these very times the LORD trained David’s faith for the battles and his ultimate destiny as king.
It was also in these very times David came to intimately know and understand the LORD as his Rock of Escape, his strength, refuge, and joy.
Today, let us seek Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. In whatever trial or hardship, injustice or betrayal we may find ourselves, let us run to Him, Our Rock of Escape. And may we, like David, trust Him to train our faith in conquering life’s battles as He prepares us for our ultimate destiny with Him for all eternity.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us, (Romans 8:18).
Today, let’s take some time to consider David’s writings in Psalm 18 (regarding this very circumstance portrayed in today’s reading).
And let us pray, and believe that as we trust Him in whatever circumstance we may find ourselves, He will grow us in our intimate knowledge and understanding of Him, Our Rock of Escape.
For the choir director. A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord, who spoke to the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said,
I love You, O Lord, my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; (Psalm 18:1-2).
For who is God, but the Lord?
And who is a rock, except our God,
32 The God who girds me with strength
And makes my way blameless?
33 He makes my feet like hinds’ feet,
And sets me upon my high places.
34 He trains my hands for battle,
So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze, (Psalm 18:31-34).
Oh Lord, may we trust You to train us in every battle, that we would walk in Your strength and holiness. Please grow us in our faith to truly and intimately know You, Our Rock of Escape.